What are the hidden costs of living in Seattle?

Parking fees and permit costs Higher utility bills due to the need for heating in winter Insurance costs can be high due to real estate values

What is the median home price in Seattle?

The median home price in Seattle is approximately $1,034,100.

Seattle has a Walk Score of 86 out of 100. It is considered very walkable.

What are the downsides of living in Seattle?

Noise from nearby highways and traffic can be noticeable Crime rates are moderate; keep an eye on pickpocketing in busy areas Limited dining and nightlife options compared to more central neighborhoods High overall cost of living, especially for homeownership

How are the schools in Seattle?

Seattle has a school rating of 8.9/10. Schools are highly rated.

What is the commute like from Seattle?

The average commute from Seattle to Downtown Seattle is approximately 8 minutes.

Seattle, WA

Seattle · King County · WA 98109

Updated August 4, 2026 · Would You Live There?

Good for now

Verdict

$1.0M

Median Price

86/100

Walk Score

8.9/10

Schools

8 min

to Downtown Seattle

Score Breakdown

FAffordability

28/100

D+Safety

55/100

B+Schools

89/100

DQuietness

40/100

ACommute

100/100

B+Walkability

86/100

WYLT Score66/100

Our Take

The 98109 area offers a reasonable mix of walkability and transit, with a few parks and a short drive into downtown. It’s not a culinary hotspot and the traffic can be noisy, but it’s affordable compared to many Seattle neighborhoods. If you’re a young professional or remote worker who values proximity to work and public transit over a gourmet food scene, it’s worth considering.

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The Good

✓Short commute to downtown Seattle
✓Decent public transit with good bus connections
✓Access to parks and waterfront
✓Rent and home prices lower than many Seattle cores

Real Talk

!Noise from nearby highways and traffic can be noticeable
!Crime rates are moderate; keep an eye on pickpocketing in busy areas
!Limited dining and nightlife options compared to more central neighborhoods
!High overall cost of living, especially for homeownership
$Parking fees and permit costs
$Higher utility bills due to the need for heating in winter
$Insurance costs can be high due to real estate values

Best For

young professionalsremote workersartistsstudents

Risk Snapshot

Flood riskLow

Violent crimeModerate

Property crimeModerate

Air qualityModerate

Price volatilityHigh

Crime & Safety

Seattle, WA

D+

Safety grade

Safety score55 / 100

High riskVery safe

⚠️Violent Crime

Moderate

3.9incidents / 1,000 residents / yr

0Natl avg (3.7)11+

5% higher than the national average

🔒Property Crime

Moderate

19.8incidents / 1,000 residents / yr

0Natl avg (19.5)59+

2% higher than the national average

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From Residents

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Seattle, WA

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