Cost of Living in SeaTac, WA

With a cost of living index of 129, SeaTac, WA is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 29% more expensive than the national average and 10% above the Washington state average of 119. With a population of 31,143, SeaTac is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in SeaTac's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,637 (24% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $483,200 (58% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.3x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in SeaTac is $76,517, which is 2% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 26% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to SeaTac. The area sees an average annual temperature of 53.7°F, with summers averaging 66°F and winters around 43°F. Annual rainfall totals 39.3 inches spread over roughly 156 days.

Everyday prices in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.