What Salary Do You Need to Live in Seattle, WA?

To live comfortably in Seattle, a household needs to earn roughly $85,000/year. That's about $7,083/month before taxes.

The Number: $85,000/year

At $85,000 per year, a household in Seattle can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Seattle's median monthly rent of $2,007 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Seattle at a Glance

Median rent$2,007/mo
Median home price$950,800
Median household income$118,745
State income taxNone
Sales tax10.25%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Seattle on roughly $55,000/year. That's about $4,583/month before taxes.

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Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Seattle

The median monthly rent is $2,007. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $80,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $950,800. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $190,160 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $118,745/year. Our recommended salary of $85,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.