City profile
Seattle, WA
Pacific Northwest city of water and mountains with a historic Central District Black community and no state income tax.
Climate
Climate type
Mild & temperate
Winter avg
42°F
Summer avg
66°F
Sunny days / yr
152
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$850,000
Typical monthly housing
$5,076
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
150
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.84%
- State income tax (top)
- None
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 9.43%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Very High · county score 100/100
Top hazards: Earthquake, Riverine flooding, Avalanche
Nearest major airport
11 mi to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 74% Democratic / 23% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
754,195
Growth since 2019
+4.1%
Median age
35.6
Residents 65+
13.0%
Median household income
$123,860
Income growth since 2019
+34.2%
Black household income
$58,390
Home ownership
43.7%
Poverty rate
9.9%
Poverty rate, 65+
11.6%
Race & ethnicity: Black 6.4% · White 58.8% · Hispanic 8.5% · Asian 17.5% · Other 8.9%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
706 · 114% above the national average
Property crime
4,461 · 187% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Seattle Police Department. State average: violent 292, property 2,018.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: wildfire smoke, earthquakes
Highlights
- No state income tax
- Excellent healthcare
- Water and mountain views
Trade-offs
- Very expensive
- Gray rainy winters
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.