Rent vs Buy Calculator for Seattle, WA
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Seattle's price-to-rent ratio is 36.1 — generally favoring renting unless you plan to stay long-term. Median rent is $1,800/mo vs a $780,000 purchase price.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Seattle local data
How Seattle Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Seattle stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Seattle, WA | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $780,000 | $420,800 | +85.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,800 | $1,713 | +5.1% |
| Median Household Income | $102,900 | $74,580 | +38.0% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.92% | 1.10% | -16.4% |
| Cost of Living Index | 156 | 100 | +56.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Seattle Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 4,100,000
- Unemployment
- 3.4%
- Avg Commute
- 30 min
- Median Age
- 36.5
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 36.1x
- Annual Property Tax
- $7,176
Frequently Asked Questions — Seattle
What is the median home price in Seattle, WA?
The median home price in Seattle is $780,000 as of 2025–2026. This is above the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Seattle?
Median monthly rent in Seattle is $1,800. That works out to $21,600/year, or 21% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Seattle affordable?
Seattle's cost of living index is 156 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $102,900/year and a median home price of $780,000, the price-to-income ratio is 7.6x. This makes homeownership a significant stretch for the typical Seattle household.
What is the property tax rate in Seattle?
The effective property tax rate in Seattle is 0.92% of assessed value. On the median home of $780,000, that's roughly $7,176/year ($598/month).