Cost of Living in Seattle, United States
Seattle is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $3,540 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $2,469 per month, or $1,963 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Seattle scores 40/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 78°F and winter highs around 47°F, with roughly 146 sunny days a year.
Seattle Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Seattle
How Seattle Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Seattle ranks in the top 4% for internet speed, but costs more than 96% of them.
| Metric | Seattle | World rank | Rank in United States & Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $3,540 | #327 of 340 | #72 of 80 |
| Safety | 40/100 | #282 of 340 | #53 of 80 |
| Healthcare | 67/100 | #179 of 340 | #68 of 80 |
| Internet speed | 303 Mbps | #13 of 340 | #1 of 80 |
| Walkability | 74/100 | #74 of 340 | #11 of 80 |
| Public transit | 60/100 | #93 of 340 | #11 of 80 |
| Food scene | 82/100 | #79 of 340 | #17 of 80 |
| Air quality | 89/100 | #64 of 340 | #17 of 80 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Seattle
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Seattle.
- Portland, United States — $2,987/mo, 16% cheaper, safety 38/100
- Chicago, United States — $2,961/mo, 16% cheaper, safety 35/100
- Denver, United States — $2,926/mo, 17% cheaper, safety 44/100
- Minneapolis, United States — $2,539/mo, 28% cheaper, safety 38/100
Seattle FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Seattle?
A single person should budget around $3,540 per month in Seattle, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $5,710 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Seattle?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Seattle averages $2,469 per month, dropping to about $1,963 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $4,680.
Is Seattle safe?
Seattle scores 40/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 62/100.
How fast is the internet in Seattle?
Median download speeds in Seattle are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 80 coworking spaces in the city.
Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?
United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in Seattle?
Seattle sees summer highs around 78°F and winter highs near 47°F, with about 146 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 110 days.
Seattle in our travel guides
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