Redmond, WA vs SeaTac, WA

The cost of living difference between Redmond, WA and SeaTac, WA is dramatic. SeaTac is 55.4% cheaper than Redmond, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Redmond has a cost index of 200 while SeaTac sits at 129, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Redmond is $2,343/month compared to $1,637/month in SeaTac — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: SeaTac is more affordable at $483,200 median vs $1,091,700.

Median household income in Redmond is $162,099 compared to $76,517 in SeaTac (+111.8%). While Redmond is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Redmond spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 25.7% in SeaTac.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 53.7°F). SeaTac receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 37.8" in Redmond.