Living in Seattle, WA, known as 'The Emerald City,' offers a unique blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication. Located in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is a large city renowned for its stunning waterfront, vibrant neighborhoods, and innovative tech industry. Major nearby cities like Tacoma and Bellevue enhance its appeal as a central hub in the region. Seattle's blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and cutting-edge innovation creates a distinctive living experience.
Seattle is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the Museum of Pop Culture. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Chihuly Garden and Glass to the bustling Seattle Art Museum, which features an impressive collection of contemporary and traditional art. Seattle's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from gourmet seafood restaurants to trendy food trucks.
Annual events such as the Seattle International Film Festival and Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival highlight the city's dynamic cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Seattle's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Washington and Seattle University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Seattle is vibrant and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Seattle Symphony and the Pacific Northwest Ballet are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Seattle provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and theater, making it an exciting place to call home.
Seattle’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Seahawks (NFL) and the Mariners (MLB), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Seattle include technology, aerospace, and healthcare, with significant employers such as Amazon and Microsoft driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses, light rail, and ferries, making it easy to navigate and explore the region's many offerings. The city's mild, temperate climate, with its distinctive rainy season, adds to the charm of living in Seattle, making it a desirable place to call home.
Amenities
Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Employment
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Schools
The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.
Cost Of Living
This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Ratings
Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Seattle is a big city located in the state of Washington. The city has a population of 741,251 residents. Seattle has a population density of 8,838 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. At 66%, the majority of the Seattle population is White; this is followed by 16% Asian and 7% Black. Seattle is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 44% married, this city falls well below the national average. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Seattle, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 28 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Seattle, Washington. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. The best areas in Seattle and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from cost of living, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Washington and national averages.
Seattle has a livability score of 76 out of 100 and is ranked #132 in Washington and #2,567 in the USA. This is a fantastic score, as Seattle ranks well in multiple categories! Seattle has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. For each of the livability categories, we know that Seattle ranks very well for education (A+) and housing (B-). Seattle does not score well for the following: crime (F) and cost of living (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
If you're considering living in Seattle, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Seattle provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: Pike Place Market, Pike Place Market, and Space Needle.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Seattle has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Seattle meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Seattle. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Seattle are simply unattainable. The median home price for Seattle homes is $713,600, which is 165% higher than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Seattle, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 7.3, which is 69.8% higher than the Washington average.
| Statistic | Seattle | Washington | National |
| Average one way commute | 28min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 43.4% | 72.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.6% | 10.2% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 20.5% | 6.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 3.1% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 10.8% | 3.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 14.0% | 5.6% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Washington
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Washington
Most Dangerous States In The US
These are the largest cities in Washington