Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Seattle, WA

    Is Seattle a good place to live?

    Watch Seattle

    Seattle ranks #13 of 51 Washington cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (61/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.9% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $912,100
    +3.7% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,998
    per month
    Household income
    $121,984
    median
    Unemployment
    4.2%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Seattle

    The median home value in Seattle is $912,100 and median rent is $1,998 a month, against a median household income of $121,984. Homes cost about 7.5× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Seattle crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Washington the 2025 rate was 292 violent and 2,017 property crimes per 100,000 people — #8 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Seattle, WA

    Seattle has about 741,440 residents, 4.2% unemployment and 38% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Seattle with

    Seattle vs SpokaneSeattle vs TacomaSeattle vs VancouverSeattle vs BellevueSeattle vs KentSeattle vs EverettSeattle vs Spokane ValleySeattle vs Renton

    More: Where to move in Washington · Best counties in Washington

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report