Cost of living index
Seattle, WA
111.1 / 100
Living in Seattle, WA is 11.1% more expensive than the US average.
Overall prices
111.1
Housing / rent
151.3
vs US average
+11.1%
What it costs to live in Seattle, WA
Seattle, WA has an overall price level of 111.1 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 11.1% higher than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 151.3 it is 51.3% above the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is Seattle, WA an expensive place to live?
Seattle, WA has an overall cost-of-living index of 111.1, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 11.1% more expensive than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in Seattle, WA?
Housing in Seattle, WA scores 151.3 against a US average of 100 — roughly 51.3% above average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does Seattle, WA compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in Seattle, WA sit at 111.1 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 151.3. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.