Last updated 2026-06-12 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Expensive, but no state income tax takes some sting out of high housing costs.
Cost of living index (US avg = 100): 145
Median 2BR rent: $2,900/mo
Housing: 162 vs 100
Groceries: 110 vs 100
Utilities: 97 vs 100
Transportation: 110 vs 100
Healthcare: 106 vs 100
Seattle combines major tech employers, mountains, and water with high housing costs. Washington has no state income tax, which partly offsets the price of living here.