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Seattle vs Washington: prices, pay and housing
| Seattle, WA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 111.1 | 108.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $91,790 | $91,930 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $72,610 | $71,060 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $82,595 | $84,429 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $73,404 | $68,657 |
| Typical home value | $750,279 | $583,013 |
| Median household income | $112,594 | $123,896 |
| Home price / household income | 6.7 | 4.7 |
| Metro population | 4,021,467 | 6,263,796 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Seattle to Washington
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Seattle to Washington, multiply your salary by 0.980.
| Salary in Seattle | Same buying power in Washington |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Seattle | $48,988 in Washington |
| $75,000 in Seattle | $73,482 in Washington |
| $100,000 in Seattle | $97,976 in Washington |
| $150,000 in Seattle | $146,964 in Washington |
| $200,000 in Seattle | $195,953 in Washington |
Salaries for common jobs in Seattle and Washington
| Job | Seattle | Washington | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $169,740 | $163,620 | $152,736 / $150,270 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $110,050 | $113,390 | $99,025 / $104,138 |
| Software Developers | $174,920 | $153,100 | $157,397 / $140,608 |
| Retail Salespersons | $45,020 | $39,600 | $40,510 / $36,369 |
| Management Analysts | $129,290 | $145,310 | $116,338 / $133,454 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $42,260 | $35,550 | $38,027 / $32,649 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $49,380 | $39,660 | $44,433 / $36,424 |
| Cashiers | $44,720 | $36,630 | $40,240 / $33,641 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $49,500 | $39,110 | $44,541 / $35,919 |
| Lawyers | $180,920 | $226,780 | $162,796 / $208,277 |
| Registered Nurses | $126,390 | $104,590 | $113,729 / $96,056 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $62,940 | $51,820 | $56,635 / $47,592 |
| Managers, All Other | $180,330 | $176,670 | $162,265 / $162,255 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $106,970 | $113,640 | $96,254 / $104,368 |
| Security Guards | $51,400 | $54,430 | $46,251 / $49,989 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Seattle vs Washington: questions
Is Seattle more expensive than Washington?
Yes. BEA prices are 111.1 in Seattle, WA and 108.9 in Washington, DC (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Washington to match $100,000 in Seattle?
About $97,976, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Seattle or Washington?
Washington, DC: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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