Seattle, WA

Seattle WA scores 34/100 on safety (well below average). Crime is about 135% above the national average. Research block-level crime data and visit after dark before you commit.

Detail: overall crime index 235 (100 = avg); violent crime index 209; property crime index 260. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

A 50/100 safety score with crime well above the national average is the main relocation risk. Citywide numbers hide sharp ZIP differences, so walk the block you would rent after dark before you commit.

School quality varies by neighborhood in Seattle. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP.

Typical rent in Seattle is about $2,030/month (expensive). At $2,030/month for a typical unit, you need about $73,080+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $938,600.

Median household income is $123,860, property taxes run about 0.92%, and homes typically sell in around 18 days. Local median income ($123,860) clears the $73,080 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Property tax at 0.92% is lower than many West Coast peers, but the $879,900 median home price still makes buying a stretch for renters. Median income ($116,068) clears the $90,036 comfort threshold for rent at the median, not for every offer letter.

Average temperature is about 58°F (highs near 66°F, lows near 50°F).

You can be outside most of the year without extreme gear. Heating and cooling costs are usually moderate compared with hotter or colder metros. If you visit, go in winter or midsummer (not only in spring) to see the extremes.

Average temperatures near 62°F with highs near 71°F and lows near 54°F keep heating moderate but gray, wet stretches from fall through spring still affect mood and utility use.

Seattle pays: $116,068 median household income is what makes $2,501/month rent survivable for dual-income tech and healthcare households. The 50/100 safety score is the tradeoff, well below the 75/100 you see in quieter Pacific Northwest suburbs. Homes turn in about 18 days on this report, so you need financing lined up before you tour. Choose Seattle when the offer letter clears the $90,036 comfort threshold and you will research block crime, not just citywide stats. Skip it if safety is your top filter without a specific neighborhood plan. Verify school ratings on GreatSchools.org for the ZIP you target.

Moving to Seattle requires serious research first. Safety scores 34/100 which is significantly below average. If you have a specific reason to be here that justifies the tradeoff, go in with eyes open on neighborhood selection.