Is Seattle a Good Place to Live? The Reality of Living in Seattle
Seattle is a city full of stunning views, a thriving job market, and a rich culture. But is it really a good place to call home?
In this article, we’ll look at the ups and downs of living in Seattle. You’ll learn about Seattle’s booming industries, its culture, and the city’s scenic parks. We’ll also touch on the challenges, such as the high cost of living and the infamous Seattle Freeze.
So if you’re thinking about moving to Seattle or just curious about what life is like there, this article will give you a clear picture of the reality of living in the Emerald City. Let’s start!
Living in Seattle: An Overview
| Pros | Cons |
| Access to Nature | High Cost of Living |
| Flourishing Job Market | Gloomy Weather |
| No State Income Tax | Traffic Congestion |
| Extraordinary Coffee and Food Scene | The “Seattle Freeze” Phenomenon |
| Thriving Arts and Culture | Visible Homelessness |
| Beautiful Summers | Potential Earthquakes |
| Robust Public Transportation System | Rise in Wildfires |
| Excellent Educational Opportunities | High Sales and Property Taxes |
What Makes Seattle a Great Place to Live?
Many factors make Seattle a great place to live. With easy access to parks, a strong job market, and a vibrant coffee and food scene, there’s something to enjoy for everyone. Let’s see why so many people love calling this city home.
Access to Nature
Seattle is a paradise for nature lovers. With more than 485 parks, the city offers countless opportunities for hiking, biking, and enjoying the outdoors. Popular spots like Discovery Park and Green Lake Park have trails and scenic views that draw both locals and visitors.
In fact, 99% of Seattle residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, making nature incredibly accessible. This is especially impressive considering the city’s size.
You can read more about Seattle’s amazing access to parks on the Trust for Public Land’s website.
Fun Fact; Seattle, WA is called the “Emerald City” because of its year-round greenery, thanks to the many evergreen trees in the area. This lush landscape reflects Washington State’s nickname, the “Evergreen State.”
Seattle’s Flourishing Job Market
Seattle’s job market is doing pretty well, thanks to its strong tech industry and diverse economy. In early 2024, the unemployment rate hit a record low of 2.9%, indicating that employers are actively looking for skilled workers.
While big companies like Amazon and Microsoft are key players, research also shows growth in areas like professional services, hospitality, and construction. All in all, Seattle is a great place to live for tech professionals and those seeking abundant career opportunities
No State Income Tax
For some people, another reason to live in Seattle is that Washington State doesn’t have a personal income tax. This means residents can keep more of what they earn compared to those living in states with high-income taxes.
Not having a state income tax benefits those with higher salaries or investment income, as these aren’t taxed. This can be a big money saver for people considering a move to Seattle.
Seattle’s Extraordinary Coffee and Food Scene
Seattle is famous for its great coffee and food. It’s home to the first Starbucks, which opened in 1971, and has many independent coffee shops with skilled baristas.
Beyond coffee, the city offers a wide range of food, from Japanese to Vietnamese to Italian, thanks to its diverse population. Because of the incredible food scene and rich coffee experience in Seattle, it remains to be an exciting place to explore for both locals and visitors.
Thriving Arts and Culture
Seattle isn’t just about business and skyscrapers—it’s also a hub for arts and culture. The city is home to places like the Seattle Art Museum and Pacific Northwest Ballet, offering diverse artistic experiences.
Seattle’s music scene, shaped by icons like Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana, is still thriving with many live venues. The city also hosts major events like the Seattle International Film Festival, which helps boost the local economy.
Beautiful Summers in Seattle
Known for its beautiful summers, Seattle enjoys warm, sunny days with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to high 70s Fahrenheit. Despite its rainy reputation, summers here are quite dry, with July being the driest month, averaging only around 0.7 inches of rain.
This makes it perfect for outdoor activities like visiting parks, hiking trails, and the waterfront. Thanks to long daylight hours and comfortable weather, summers in Seattle is a big attraction for both locals and tourists.
Robust Public Transportation System
Another pro of living in Seattle is access to its excellent public transportation system. One example is the Link Light Rail, which conveniently connects important spots like the University of Washington, downtown Seattle, and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Recent expansions now reach places like Lynnwood, making it even more convenient. This provides a good alternative to driving, especially since Seattle’s traffic congestion is quite an issue.
In addition, King County Metro offers a large bus network across the city and nearby areas, which makes commuting easier for both tourists and locals.
As for water transport, Washington State Ferries—the largest ferry system in the U.S.—connects Seattle to nearby islands and the Kitsap Peninsula.
Excellent Educational Opportunities
Seattle offers excellent educational opportunities which makes it a great choice for students. For starters, the city is home to the University of Washington, one of the country’s top public universities, known for its research and academic programs.
The city also boasts a highly educated population, with 66.7% of residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to the national average of 34.3%.
Additionally, the city also has the Seattle Public Schools district, the largest in Washington. This district serves over 54,000 students and is focused on delivering quality education.
Families can also choose from top-rated private schools like Lakeside School and Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, which provide competitive and rigorous academic programs.
The Challenges of Living in Seattle
While Seattle has a lot to offer, it also has its downsides. The high cost of living, gloomy weather, and heavy traffic can make life in the city difficult for some.
Additionally, the “Seattle Freeze” phenomenon, visible homelessness, and the potential for natural disasters like earthquakes and wildfires add to the list of concerns. Let’s take a closer look at these challenges and their impact on Seattle living.
High Cost of Living
One of the main reasons some people are hesitant to live in Seattle is its high cost of living. To put it in perspective, Seattle ranks as the ninth most expensive city in the U.S. The overall cost-of-living index is 145.7, which is well above the national average.
Housing is especially expensive in Seattle, with a housing index of 211.6—more than double the average. Even groceries and transportation cost more than in cities like Manhattan and Los Angeles.
For more details on Seattle’s cost of living, check out the 2023 Q3 report from Axios Media.
Gloomy Weather in Seattle
Despite its beautiful summers, Seattle is known for its gloomy weather, with an average of 152 rainy days a year. The city also has about 201 cloudy days, creating a gray and overcast atmosphere.
This lack of sunlight can affect people’s moods and is linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that some experience during certain times of the year.
Interestingly, even with its gloomy reputation, Seattle actually gets less rain annually than cities like Atlanta and New York in the Eastern and Southern U.S.
Traffic Congestion
While Seattle is often seen as one of the best places to live, traffic is a big challenge for people commuting between neighborhoods and homes. In 2023, Seattle was the 10th worst city for traffic in the U.S.
On average, drivers spent 58 hours stuck in traffic, much more than the national average of 42 hours. According to the data from INRIX 2023 Global Traffic Scorecard, this congestion cost the city about $1.6 billion in lost productivity.
The “Seattle Freeze” Phenomenon
The “Seattle Freeze” refers to how making new friends in Seattle can feel hard at first. Many newcomers find people polite but a bit distant, sticking to their own circles. According to some, this may be due to the city’s roots and the introverted nature of tech workers.
However, some say once you get past the initial distance, Seattleites are warm and friendly. Understanding this can help newcomers settle into communities and feel more at home in their new neighborhoods.
Visible Homelessness in Seattle
Homelessness is a major issue in Seattle, with many people living without permanent shelter. In 2023, nearly half of Washington’s homeless population was in the Seattle-King County area, giving Seattle one of the highest homelessness rates in the U.S.
To address the issue, the city launched the One Seattle Homelessness Action Plan, aiming to provide shelter and keep public spaces accessible. However, by the end of 2023, there were still 523 tents and 227 RVs, according to the latest report.
Potential Earthquakes
Seattle is in an earthquake-prone area, which concerns potential residents and affects the local real estate market. The city can experience three types of earthquakes: crustal, intraplate, and subduction zone quakes, each with different effects.
The Seattle Fault Zone, in particular, could trigger a strong quake, possibly up to a magnitude 7.5. About 15% of the city, including neighborhoods like Duwamish Valley and Interbay, is at higher risk for ground failure.
Because earthquakes are common here, buyers should be careful when looking for homes, keeping an eye out for foundation problems or code violations that could affect safety.
Rise in Wildfires in the Seattle Area
Wildfires around Seattle are becoming more frequent and severe, mostly due to climate change. In 2024, over 70,000 acres burned across Washington State, including the Seattle area.
The National Interagency Fire Center placed the region at “Preparedness Level 5,” which means firefighting resources are a top priority. This has worsened air quality in Seattle, with several days each year predicted to reach unhealthy levels due to smoke.
High Sales and Property Taxes
Seattle residents face some of the highest sales and property taxes in the country, which can be a significant downside to people looking to move to the Emerald city.
As of April 2024, Seattle has the highest combined state and local sales tax rate among major U.S. cities at 10.35%. This high sales tax is responsible for the increased cost of everyday goods and services, which adds to the already high cost of living in the city.
Additionally, Seattle’s property taxes are among the top five most expensive in large U.S. cities, with the median property tax paid by homeowners reaching around $6,800 in 2022.
These high taxes make it difficult for residents, especially those with lower incomes, to cover their basic expenses.
Key Takeaways: Is Seattle a Good Place to Live?
Seattle offers stunning natural beauty, a strong job market, and a lively arts and food scene. The city’s easy access to parks and lack of state income tax are major perks for many. However, it also comes with challenges like high cost of living and traffic congestion.
So, is Seattle a good place to live? Well, it depends on your priorities. If you value job opportunities, culture, and beautiful surroundings, it’s a sign that Seattle could be one of the best places to live in. But you’ll need to weigh those perks against the cost and challenges!
If this article has swayed you to move to Seattle and you want to make some quick cash by selling your Seattle home, visit the Kind House Buyers website or contact us at (253) 216-2497 to learn more. We buy homes as-is!
