What Does It Really Cost to Live in Seattle in 2026? A Local's Actual Monthly Bills

Living in the Seattle area costs more than most of the country, mostly because of housing: the median single-family home in Seattle proper was about $950,000 as of February 2026, and a typical household's utilities ran about $500 to $520 a month. Washington has no state income tax, though, which offsets a lot of that for people relocating from high-tax states like California. Instead of national-average percentages, this guide uses my own real bills as a lifelong Seattle-area resident who helps people relocate here.

By Bryce Greenleaf, Seattle-area Realtor and relocation specialist · Updated October 2026

Most cost-of-living articles compare Seattle to the national average and give you percentages. I wanted to do something more useful: show you what I actually pay. I grew up here and have lived in the Seattle area nearly my whole life, so below are my real expenses across seven categories: housing, taxes, utilities, groceries, insurance, transportation and healthcare, plus a note on childcare.

How much does a home cost in the Seattle area?

Housing is the biggest cost here, and it varies a lot depending on where in the metro you live. The Seattle metro covers three counties (King, Snohomish and Pierce) with more than 4 million people, and the overall median home price is about $740,000 as of February 2026. Here's how it breaks down by area.

Seattle proper

The median single-family home price in Seattle proper is about $950,000. The north side of the city is generally more expensive than the south side. In South Seattle you'll find many more homes below the $900,000 mark, while in North Seattle and on the west side, in neighborhoods like Queen Anne and Magnolia, most homes are well over $1 million.

The Eastside (Kirkland, Bellevue, Sammamish, Issaquah)

East of Lake Washington, the median home price is about $1.6 million. This is the most sought-after part of the metro because it has access to some of the highest-paying jobs, some of the best-rated school districts, and clean, well-kept neighborhoods.

South Snohomish County (Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Bothell, Mill Creek)

The median here is about $900,000. It's a popular choice for people who are priced out of the Eastside but still want to be reasonably close to Seattle or Bellevue.

North Snohomish County (Everett, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Marysville, Arlington)

If you don't need to be close to Seattle or Bellevue, home prices drop to a median of about $700,000.

South King County (Burien, Renton, Tukwila, Federal Way, Kent, Auburn, Maple Valley)

The median home price in South King County is about $690,000.

Pierce County (Tacoma, Spanaway, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Enumclaw)

At the southern end of the metro, Pierce County's median is about $550,000. Generally, the farther you get from Seattle and Bellevue, the more prices drop.

For context, the clients I help relocate here are most often shopping somewhere between $800,000 and $2 million, which gives you real options in several different parts of the metro.

What taxes do you pay in Washington State?

No state income tax

Washington has no state income tax. Many of the people I've helped relocate, especially from California, tell me this was part of their decision. If you're paying 10% to 14% in state income tax in California, dropping to zero can stretch your budget noticeably and change the lifestyle you can afford.

High sales tax

The trade-off is one of the higher sales taxes in the country. It varies a little by city, but as of February 2026 it averages about 10.6% in King County, 10.6% in Snohomish County and about 10.3% in Pierce County. Most of the rest of Washington is in the 8% to 9% range.

Property tax around 1% of home value

Property taxes here are moderate compared with places that charge 2% to 3% or more. In the Seattle area you'll usually be right around 1% of home value, give or take depending on the city. My own home is worth just over $1 million and my property tax is $8,760 a year, a bit under 1%. Taxes are based on assessed value, which is usually lower than market value.

How much are utilities in Seattle?

Here's what my family pays for a fairly average 2,300 sq ft home that uses both electricity and natural gas (winter 2025 to 2026):

• Electricity (PUD): $94 in December and $112 in January.
• Natural gas: $146 in December and $163 in January.
• Internet (Ziply Fiber): $81 a month. Xfinity (Comcast) is the other main provider; it often starts at $50 to $60 a month on a promotional rate, then goes up to around $100 to $110. Not every neighborhood has Ziply.
• Garbage, recycling and yard waste (Waste Management): $178 every three months.
• Water and sewer: $210 every two months, or about $105 a month.

All in, that's about $500 to $520 a month, which is a pretty common number around here. Power and gas together run about $250 to $275 a month in winter. At our previous house, which was all-electric, we paid about $150 to $200 a month in summer and around $300 a month in winter for electricity alone. A larger 3,000 to 4,000 sq ft home will cost more to heat and cool; a smaller one will cost less.

Are groceries expensive in Seattle?

Payscale ranked Seattle about 10% higher than average on grocery costs, but what you pay depends a lot on where you shop: Whole Foods and Trader Joe's on the higher end, WinCo and Walmart on the lower end, and Safeway and Fred Meyer in the middle. My family mostly shops at Safeway and Costco, with the occasional Target run. Here are some typical prices at my local Safeway as of early 2026:

Honestly, when I visit other places and go to the grocery store, I don't notice a big difference. If you're coming from a state with very cheap groceries you may feel it, but overall Seattle is comparable to a lot of areas.

How much is car and home insurance in Seattle?

Auto insurance

We insure three vehicles: two daily drivers and a work truck that doesn't get driven much. Our six-month premium is $2,989, or about $498 a month, with clean driving records (one speeding ticket between us). Your rate will depend on your record, how many vehicles you have and what you drive.

Homeowners insurance

Our 1990s-built, roughly 2,300 sq ft home costs $2,268 a year to insure, about $189 a month. That includes a little extra coverage for my backyard office. From helping buyers set up homeowners insurance, I can tell you that's a pretty standard amount; $200 to $250 a month is also common. Roof type, the home's age and its size all matter, and a previous claim on your record can push premiums to $300 to $400 a month.

What does transportation cost in Seattle?

Gas prices

Washington is one of the more expensive states for gas. As of February 2026, the Seattle average was about $3.93 a gallon, down from about $4.61 in mid-2025.

Toll lanes

• I-405 express toll lanes: I-405 is the main north-south freeway on the Eastside, running from the Lynnwood and Bothell area past Bellevue to Renton. The two left lanes are tolled and the rest are free. Tolls depend on traffic, time of day and distance. They can be free or a couple of dollars at off-peak times and $10 to $13 during heavy rush hour.
• SR 520 bridge: Connects north Bellevue to north Seattle near the University of Washington. Tolls run about $1 to $7, with the higher end at rush hour.

Light rail

Link light rail keeps expanding, and more people in the suburbs are using it to commute. The fare is a flat $3 each way regardless of distance, so about $6 a day for a round-trip commute. 

What is healthcare like in Seattle?

Access to care is a strength here. One study of 149 U.S. cities ranked Seattle ninth for healthcare access, with 29 providers for every 10,000 people. UW Medicine is very highly rated, the area is known for cancer research, and many people from surrounding states come to Seattle for care. Another study put average costs at $171 for a doctor's visit, $151 for a dental visit, $171 for an optometrist and $27 for a prescription, although your actual costs will depend heavily on why you're going.

I'm self-employed, so instead of buying a marketplace plan for my family of four, we use a health sharing program. The monthly cost is lower than a marketplace plan, but you pay more out of pocket for smaller visits in exchange for coverage on large bills. It's a different model, so compare it carefully with a traditional plan. Overall, I don't hear many complaints from people about healthcare access or cost here compared with other parts of the country.

How much does childcare cost in the Seattle area?

When our oldest (now six) was born, we priced out childcare before deciding my wife would stay home. Full-time care for one child usually runs $2,000 to $2,500 a month, and that's fairly consistent across the metro. You'll find some options closer to $3,000 to $3,500 and a few just under $2,000.

Frequently asked questions about the cost of living in Seattle

Does Washington State have an income tax?

No. Washington has no state income tax, which is a major reason many people relocate here from California and other high-tax states. The trade-off is a high sales tax of about 10.6% in King and Snohomish counties and about 10.3% in Pierce County.

What is the median home price in the Seattle area?

As of February 2026, the median single-family home price was about $950,000 in Seattle proper and about $740,000 across the three-county metro. It ranges from about $550,000 in Pierce County to about $1.6 million on the Eastside.

How much are monthly utilities for a house in Seattle?

For an average 2,300 sq ft home with electric and gas, expect about $500 to $520 a month for electricity, gas, internet, garbage and water/sewer combined. Larger homes cost more to heat and cool.

How much is property tax in the Seattle area?

Usually around 1% of a home's value or slightly less, depending on the city. It's based on assessed value, which is typically lower than market value. On a home worth just over $1 million, Bryce pays $8,760 a year.

Where can I find a more affordable home near Seattle?

Pierce County (about $550,000 median), South King County (about $690,000) and North Snohomish County (about $700,000) are the most affordable parts of the metro. South Snohomish County (about $900,000) is a popular middle ground for buyers who want to stay close to Seattle or Bellevue.

How much does childcare cost in Seattle?

Full-time childcare for one child usually costs $2,000 to $2,500 a month across the Seattle metro, with some providers charging $3,000 to $3,500.