Thousands flock to Seattle each year, lured by its reputation as a tech magnet and cultural hub, but the cost of living in the Emerald City is a rude awakening for many. So what exactly is a liveable Seattle salary in 2025? The answer depends on your lifestyle, household size and housing choices — but numbers don’t lie: Seattle is expensive, and “livable” means something else here than in most U.S. cities.

The Essentials of Defining a Livable Salary

A livable salary is the amount you need to earn to pay for your basic needs — housing, food, transportation, healthcare and a reasonable cushion for savings or emergencies — without financial stress on a daily basis. In Seattle, the number is molded by high rents, escalating home prices and above-average prices across the board for each part of life from groceries to childcare.

The Hard Numbers: What You Should Make

For a Single Adult:

Recent analyses show that one working adult must make at least $87,146 per year (approx. $41.90/hour) to afford median rent and living expenses in Seattle2. This calculation adheres to the standard 30% rule when it comes to describing how much of your income should be towards housing (less than 30%).

Living Wage Estimates:

According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, the living wage for a single adult without children in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area is $28.70 per hour — roughly $57,000 per year6. But we’re talking about a bare minimum, not a comfort zone, and nothing for savings, leisure or incidental costs.

For Families:

The figures are even higher for families. If you are a single parent with one child, you will need approximately $49.50/hour. For two working adults with one child, your living wage is $26.88/hour each, or in the neighborhood of $56,000 per adult6

To Live Comfortably:

To “live comfortably” in Seattle — which means rented one bed, care or two and to enjoy the city without getting poor — is all considered most locals and experts agree you need at least 100,000 a year as a single person, and even more if you have a dependent or want to own a home6

Homeownership:

If you intend to purchase, the bar is even higher. Depending on the results you look at, the recommended household income for a two-bedroom apartment is about $78,240 per year5, but for homeownership, many say $120,000–$150,000 at least for a single person, and $200k+ for a family6.

What Locals Say: Genuine Experiences

Seattleites are opinionated about what it takes to get by. In a poll taken in the past week, the majority of respondents claimed big city living can only be done in comfort at $100,000 at minimum, although many argued that singles who hope to save, travel and enjoy the town would best to shoot in the $130,000–$150,000 range. Families and homeowners routinely quote numbers in excess of $200,0006.

Some get by on less — sharing a place with others, opting for smaller digs, making lifestyle sacrifices. Others, particularly some in tech, argue six-figure salaries are essential just to feel secure.

The Cost Breakdown

Here’s how these salaries break down:

Expense Category - Monthly Cost (Single) - Monthly Cost (Family of 4)

Rent (1BR) $2,200–$2,500 $3,000+ (2–3BR)

Utilities $185–$270 $250–$350

Groceries $350–$500 $800–$1,000

Transportation $100–$400 $300–$600

Healthcare $300–$500 $700–$1,200

Childcare (if needed)— $1,200+

Miscellaneous $300–$500 $500–$800

Add it up, and a single person’s essential expenses easily reach $4,000–$5,000/month, while a family of four can expect $8,000–$10,000/month, especially if they rent a larger home or pay for childcare.

Why Is the Bar So High?

Seattle’s high cost of living is powered by:

Housing shortage: Far more demand than supply, driving rents and home prices through the roof.

Tech-Lifted Paychecks: High-paying jobs attract workers who can afford to pay more, so it goes up for everyone.

Costly Basics: Groceries, healthcare, and other essentials cost 10–30% more than the national average.

Taxes and Fees: No-income tax state, but high sales tax (10.25%) and property taxes for homeowners.

Making It Work: What Locals Say

Lots of Seattleites make ends meet by:

Sharing a home with roommates or family
Selecting communities outside of the city center
Taking public transit rather than owning a car
Cook at home and make entertainment and hobbies budget lines
I will be looking for community resources and free events

Services like Seattle Green Maids can help busy professionals and families keep homes clean and organized while freeing up time for work and relaxation.

Is Minimum Wage Enough?

Seattle’s minimum wage is now $19.97/hour—the highest of any major individual U.S. city6. Even that isn’t enough to reach the living wage for a single adult, much less support a family. Most experts say that minimum wage jobs already need roommates, subsidies, or drastic lifestyle changes to get by.

The Bottom Line: What’s Truly Livable?

Bare minimum: $57,000–65,000/year55 (bare bones, no frills, probably with roommates)

Single, feeling comfortable: $100,000–$130,000/year (apartment-owning, some savings, more of a social life)6.

Comfortable family life: $150,000–$250,000+ (children, housing, vacations, savings)6.

Your idea of “livable” will vary based on your expectations, though Seattle’s high costs suggest aiming higher is prudent.

Whether you’re moving, planning for the future, or just want to get the most out of your time in Seattle, find more tips and local resources visit our website.

Seattle’s livable salary is higher than in most U.S. cities, with $100,000 a realistic base for singles and much more for families. Careful budgeting, smart decision-making and the use of local services such as Seattle Green Maids can help make living here more palatable and pleasant — even in a city where the cost of living just keeps going up.

What is a livable salary in Seattle?