The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Seattle
Whether you’re drawn to the abundance of nature, the tech industry, or just looking for a mean cup of coffee, here’s all you’ll need to know about Seattle.
Written by Natalie Todoroff
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Table of Contents
- What you need to know about Seattle before you move
- Does Seattle live up to its stereotypes?
- Finding a place to live in Seattle
- Moving to Seattle checklist
- How to save on insurance in Seattle
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Seattle
’s not just for hipsters, coffee aficionados, and grunge bands anymore. It is now one of the fastest-growing cities
in the US where you’ll find a top-notch food scene, ample access to the great outdoors, and nicer weather than you’d expect! What do coffee juggernaut Starbucks, legendary rock band Pearl Jam, and tons of guys with full beards and anchor tattoos all have in common? They all call Seattle,
Washington
home! And, if you’re reading, maybe you’re interested in increasing their nearly 800,000-person population, whether you’re moving by yourself, with a significant other, or with your family in tow.
But, moving to
Seattle
certainly has its drawbacks. With a steep cost of living and higher crime rate, you’ll need to carefully consider whether living in the Emerald City is really for you. That’s why Jerry
, your favorite money-saving app
for all your home insurance
needs, has organized this thorough guide with everything you’ll need to know about moving to Seattle—and how to save a couple of bucks doing it! RECOMMENDED
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What you need to know about Seattle before you move
1. It’s one of the more expensive cities in the US
While Seattle may not be as pricey as
New York
or San Francisco
, it’s still got a much higher than average cost of living. 49% higher than the national average, in fact. Surprisingly, though, a cup of coffee in Seattle will only run you $2.29—less than it costs in Chicago
, New York, and San Francisco! While you can anticipate cheap (and some of the nation’s best) coffee, don’t expect to find cheap rent. On average, a one-bedroom apartment in Seattle rents for $2,325. And sadly, you don’t get a lot of bang for your buck—Seattle has the tiniest apartments in the US!
While the average Manhattan one bedroom is 733 square feet, a Seattle one bedroom is a much tighter 711 square feet.
Along with high rent, Seattle charges a high 10.1% sales tax on everything except groceries. But, Seattle workers do not pay any personal income tax—which really adds up when you take into consideration the average salary of $81,000 across all industries except for tech. The tech folks make even more, somewhere between $100,000 and $150,000.
2. No, you don’t have to work in tech to get a job in Seattle
Even though those in the tech industry are among Seattle’s top earners and it’s got a huge presence in the city, that does not mean that it’s the only way to get a job. Retail, aerospace, information technology, engineering, and start-ups all also prosper in Seattle.
Seattle is one of the most educated cities in the United States; 60% of the population has a college degree. And not everyone majored in software engineering! Ten fortune 500 companies, like Amazon, Nordstrom, and Costco are based in Seattle, and they frequently hire for non-tech positions across multiple departments.
3. You’ll need to have your wits about you
There’s no beating around the bush: the crime rate in Seattle is higher than in the rest of the state of Washington. You have a 1 on 17 chance of being the victim of a violent or property crime.
Unfortunately, violent crimes tend to occur more frequently than property crimes. According to a report from the Seattle
Police Department
, violent crime was up by 20% by the end of 2021, while crime overall increased by 10%. Auto theft
, in particular, was up 8% since 2020. These are some pretty scary figures, but keep in mind that certain areas of Seattle see more crime than others. The Lake City, Brighton/Dunlap, and International District neighborhoods are among the more dangerous Seattle neighborhoods. As long as you choose a neighborhood carefully and practice common sense, you’ll be just fine in Seattle.
4. You’ll find more pet parents than human parents
If you’ve got a dog, living in Seattle will feel like living in a paradise. Seattle has the most dogs per capita of any city with an impressive 246 dogs per 1000 people! With a median age of about 35 years old, more young Seattle professionals are adding more four-legged members to their households than two-legged ones.
To compare, there are roughly 153,000 dogs to 107,000 kids in Seattle. It doesn’t mean that Seattle isn’t family-friendly. It still has excellent public schools and, thanks to its prime location, there are loads of family-friendly outdoor activities to enjoy.
MORE: Everything you need to know about driving in Seattle
5. Public transportation is among some of the best, but you can also take your car
You can bring your car to Seattle as long as you don’t mind the traffic. Seattle drivers spend around 30 hours a year sitting in traffic, so make sure to download a podcast (or two) before getting behind the wheel! As far as insurance goes, what Seattle drivers pay for their car insurance is right on par with the national average—a welcome relief from the otherwise costly expenses you’ll encounter living in Seattle.
There are two main kinds of public transportation available in Seattle: the LINK light cars and the Seattle Streetcars. Their public transportation system is ranked the best in the nation and is a great way to get out and explore the city.
6. It’s not as rainy as you’d think!
We’re here to debunk this myth once and for all: Seattle weather is nowhere near as rainy as its reputation makes it out to be. Yes, it’s often overcast, but there are hardly any torrential downpours or even true raindrops falling from the sky most days of the year.
Seattle experiences 92 days of precipitation a year mostly in the form of a fine mist. You can ditch your umbrella for a light rain jacket, but make sure you bring your shades for the summertime! Seattle residents enjoy summer temperatures around 75 degrees with low humidity. If you’re someone to who
mosquitos
often flock, you’ll be relieved that there are much fewer in Seattle, despite its proximity to bodies of water. 7. Are Seattleites friendly?
Seattle is known for a lot of things, but being welcoming isn’t necessarily one of them. This phenomenon is so prevalent it’s even got its own name:
the Seattle Freeze
. If you’re looking for a bustling social life full of outgoing people, then the Seattle social scene may not be the best fit. That being said, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to make friends in Seattle. As a growing city full of transplants, there are still plenty of people who are keen on meeting new people.
Pro Tip Try bringing up the Seattle Freeze when talking to someone new. It’s probably just the icebreaker (pun intended) that you need to get the conversation going!
Does Seattle live up to its stereotypes?
Every stereotype contains some modicum of truth, and the ones surrounding Seattle are no different. You’ll certainly find a great cup of coffee, a killer IPA, a great selection of live music, a trendy arts scene, and an eco-friendly lifestyle if you choose to make Seattle your new home.
And yes, you can eat your way around the city! Their oysters and seafood are some of the best you’ll find anywhere, and you should give their famous cream cheese hot dog–known colloquially as a Seattle Dog–a try.
Seattle has a reputation for shutting down a little early. So if you’re a true late-night bar fiend, you probably won’t get your fix in Seattle. Seattle nightlife leans more towards live bands than DJs, and bars tend to close on the early side.
Finding a place to live in Seattle
Seattle has a whopping 78 neighborhoods to choose from! If you’re looking to rent an apartment, here are a couple of standout ones to help you narrow it down:
- Most iconic neighborhoods: Queen Anne, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square
- Best for kids: Greenwood, Lower Queen Anne, Laurelhurst
- Best for foodies: Capitol Hill, Chinatown, Columbia City, Ballard
- Best if you’ve got a car: Broadview, Victory Heights, View Ridge, South Delridge, North Queen Anne
- Most affordable: Greenwood, Pinehurst, Columbia City, Bryant
We’ve mentioned how pricey Seattle can be, and the cost of homes is no exception: the average price of a single-family home in Seattle is $896,000. Higher salaries from the tech industry tend to drive up the prices of homes in Seattle proper, as do the sweeping views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainer. You really do have to pay a pretty penny for the lush greenery!
Pro tip: Thinking of renting? You should think about getting roommates. Living with others is a great way to save on rent without sacrificing a prime city location.
Moving to Seattle checklist
Ready to pack up your hiking boots and kayak? Here are a couple of pointers to make your move as seamless as possible, both before and after you head west.
Before you go
- Find some moversto help transport your larger items. Or, if you’d rather do it yourself, rent a U-Haul
- Box up your belongings! And don’t forget your raincoat.
- Let your landlord, insurance provider, employer, and utility company know that you’ll be leaving your current dwelling. You should also contact the post office to officially change your address.
- Contemplate shipping your car to Seattle if you’re not up for a road trip
After you get there
Now that you’re settling in to life along the Puget Sound, don’t forget to do the following:
- Register your car in the state of Washington and switch your insurance policy, if you moved out from out of state
- Update your health insurance and voter registration
- Get outside! You won’t get to know Seattle by staying in your home or apartment. Go and smell the roses, feel the rain on your skin, and take full advantage of what Seattle has to offer.
How to save on insurance in Seattle
We can’t sugarcoat it—Seattle is an expensive city no matter where you choose to live. Every dollar you can save counts, and insurance app
Jerry
can find savings on your renters
, home
, and auto insurance
policies—and teach you how to save even more when you bundle! Jerry provides end-to-end support on all of your insurance needs. Whether you’re looking to up your car insurance coverage, hunt for a homeowner’s policy, or want to ask about your renters insurance, Jerry has your back.
After taking less than a minute to enter some basic information, the Jerry app pulls quotes from dozens of premium insurance providers to get you the best deal. If you ever have any questions about any of your insurance policies, Jerry’s friendly insurance agents are only a text message away. Best of all, people who shop for insurance with Jerry save over $800 a year on their policies!
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Is it worth moving to Seattle?
We can’t definitively tell you whether or not a move to Seattle is in the cards for you. But, if you’re considering moving, you should really think about how well you’d mesh with the Seattle lifestyle. If you’re craving closeness with nature, can handle the costs of living, and don’t mind a little drizzle, Seattle just might be the place for you.
How much money do I need to move to Seattle?
To live comfortably in Seattle—and not survive just off of Ramen noodles—it’s recommended that you earn a $72,000 a year salary. It’s estimated that single people spend $1227 a month outside of rent, while a family of four spends $4385.
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