Seattle WA
Washington · Pop. 754,195
Seattle, WA: median household income of $123,860, median rent of $2,030/mo, 4.6% unemployment. Our verdict: It Depends.
Score Breakdown
Key Metrics
Median Income
$123,860
per year
Median Rent
$2,030
per month
Median Home
$939k
home value
Unemployment
4.6%
of labor force
Poverty Rate
9.9%
below poverty line
Avg. Commute
26 min
one way
City Reality Check balanced
"Seattle, WA Reality Check"
In Seattle, the rent-to-income burden runs around 20% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $123,860 and median rent is $2,030/month. 42% of renters spend 30%+ of income on housing — above the national average. Median home value: $938,600 — that's 7.6× the median income. 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — a highly educated workforce that drives (and inflates) this local economy. Employment picture: 4.62% unemployment — a healthy job market. Poverty rate: 9.9%. Average commute: 26 minutes — acceptable. Violent crime: 60.4/100k avg monthly rate (22085 reported); Property crime: 432.8/100k avg monthly rate (158315 reported). Seattle was founded in 1851 — that's 175 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 142.6 sq miles at 5,290 people/sq mile — moderately dense. Elevation: 131 ft — essentially flat — floods are a real conversation. Known as: "Queen City | Emerald City | Jet City". RoastMyCity overall score: 65/100 — It Depends.
Local Context
Weather
/100Average high 59.9°F, low 46.8°F. 1 days per year above 90°F. 45.7 inches of annual precipitation.
Safety
/100Violent crime: 60.4/100k avg monthly rate (22085 reported); Property crime: 432.8/100k avg monthly rate (158315 reported).