Relocation profile · Federal data
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
BEA RPP 111.1 ranks #381 of 387 scored metros for higher prices (dearer third).
- 111.1
- Cost index (US=100)
- $2,501
- 2BR rent / mo
- $92,550
- Median salary
- 40.5
- LiveAbility Score
The verdict
As of June 2026, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ranks #324 of 387 US metros on the LiveAbility Score (40.5/100), with its strongest marks in job market and low hazard.
- #324
- of 387 US metros · Below median
- 7,958,180
- metro-area population
- 329
- violent crimes per 100K (state-level)
- 2,465
- schools in the state (NCES)
Weakest dimension: cost of living (2/100). Weigh every dimension against your own priorities, use the City Finder to re-rank by what matters to you.
According to PlainRelocate's LiveAbility composite (BEA, BLS, HUD, FBI, NCES, EPA, NOAA, and FEMA inputs), Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ranks #324 of 387 scored US metros by LiveAbility Score (highest score = #1). Cost-of-living index 111.1 (100 = national average), median 2-bedroom rent $2,501/mo, median salary $92,550; LiveAbility Score 40.5/100, strongest in job market and low hazard.
Signature: BEA RPP 111.1 ranks #381 of 387 scored metros for higher prices (dearer third).
Purchasing power tightens: BEA RPP 111.1 lands in the dearer third of scored metros (cuts at 91.5 / 97.0). Median 2BR rent $2,501/mo.
LiveAbility 40.5/100 puts Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue in the bottom third (#324 of 387).
BLS OEWS total employment in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area is 2,057,860.
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue vs all US metros by LiveAbility Score
Where this metro's LiveAbility Score falls among every scored US metro (composite placement, not a desirability verdict)
41 Top 84% higher than 16% of 387 US metros
Metros banded by LiveAbility Score (0–100)
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more US metros. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source PlainRelocate LiveAbility Score · June 2026
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue housing and rent
HUD Fair Market Rents for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA; housing RPP 151.3 (100 = national average); 2BR $2,501/mo.
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue wages and employment
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue posts 2,057,860 total employment with median salary $92,550 against a dearer-than-average RPP.
Top Occupations by Employment
| Occupation | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Software Developers | $167,280 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $48,210 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $39,150 |
| Retail Salespersons | $42,080 |
| Registered Nurses | $128,260 |
Schools & Education
State-level education data for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area from NCES.
Childcare Costs
State-average childcare costs for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area (DOL data).
Life Score Breakdown
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue's composite Life Score is 42/100 (F), computed across 7 of 7 dimensions.
LiveAbility Score
View full rankings →Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ranks #324 out of 387 metros with a LiveAbility Score of 40.5/100 - a composite of 8 of 8 quality-of-life dimensions from federal data. Customize the weights to match your priorities →
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue - dimension scores
Percentile vs all US metros (100 = best in the nation for that dimension)
- Job market
Job market
100 /100
- Low hazard
Low hazard
87 /100
- Climate
Climate
52 /100
- Safety
Safety
46 /100
- Air quality 31
Air quality
31 /100
- Schools 28
Schools
28 /100
- Housing 4
Housing
4 /100
- Cost of living 2
Cost of living
2 /100
What this shows Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue's strongest dimensions are job market and low hazard; its weakest among scored dims is cost of living at 2/100. Default weights: cost 18%, jobs & housing 15% each, safety & schools 12%, air & hazard 10%, climate 8%.
Compare Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue to
Metros near Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue on cost, LiveAbility, or wages
Nearest out-of-state neighbors to Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue on BEA RPP, LiveAbility, or BLS median salary, a different lens than the size-ranked list.
Similar cost of living (BEA RPP)
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, HUD Fair Market Rents, BLS OES, FBI UCR, NCES, DOL, EPA June 2026
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue cost figures follow BEA Regional Price Parities and HUD Fair Market Rents; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue wages and LiveAbility inputs follow BLS OEWS plus the federal sources listed in methodology. This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Scores are federal-data percentiles, not a move recommendation. How this data is sourced.
Verify with BEA → · Verify with BLS → · Verify with HUD → · Verify with NOAA → · Verify with FEMA → · Verify with Census →
Thinking about Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue runs a $92,550 median salary at a 111.1 cost index, ranking #324 of 387 nationally on LiveAbility.
- See exactly what Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue's pay and cost figures mean for your own budget. Salary calculator
- Put Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue head-to-head against another city on the same dimensions. Compare Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
- Abilene is the closest related metro in this corpus -- see how it stacks up. Abilene profile
- A cheaper cost index and a higher LiveAbility score don't always point the same direction -- here's how to weigh the trade-off. Cost vs quality guide
Cost, salary and score figures are federal-data percentiles, not a move recommendation.