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What income is needed to live comfortably in Seattle?
I'm trying to figure out a realistic salary to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in Seattle, not just scraping by. I'm thinking of moving for a job, but cost of living seems really high. By 'comfortable', I mean being able to afford rent in a decent neighborhood (not downtown, maybe Ballard or Fremont), have some money for eating out occasionally and entertainment, save for retirement, and still take a vacation once a year. No kids, just me and my partner. We don't need a super fancy lifestyle, but we don't want to be stressed about every expense. What annual income should we realistically be targeting?
2 Answers
13
32d ago
Expect to need at least $100,000 pre-tax to live comfortably as a single person in Seattle with those requirements. Housing will likely be your biggest expense, potentially consuming 30-40% of your income. Transportation, food, and other expenses add up quickly. Saving a decent amount requires a substantial income buffer.
13
28d ago
Expect to need a minimum combined income of $180,000 to live comfortably in Seattle, factoring in rent (around $3,000-$4,000 for a decent 2-bedroom), utilities, groceries, transportation, and some entertainment. Childcare costs are extremely high, easily exceeding $2,000 per month per child, so factor that in if applicable. A good rule of thumb is to allocate around 30% of your income to housing, 15% to transportation, 15% to food, and save the rest. Seattle taxes are also relatively high, so factor that in, too.