Living in Seattle: What to Know Before You Move
Thinking about living in Seattle? This Pacific Northwest city blends waterfront views, innovative tech culture, and green neighborhoods tucked between mountains and Puget Sound. Here’s what to know before you unpack your first box.
What should you know about Seattle at a glance?
Population: Around 762,000 (U.S. Census, 2025 estimate)
Median household income: Roughly $118,000 (City of Seattle 2025 data)
Median home price: About $875,000 as of mid-2025 (NWMLS)
Average rent: Around $2,400 per month for a one-bedroom (July 2025, ApartmentList)
Weather: Expect cool, wet winters and mild summers—roughly 150 rainy days a year.
Vibe: Urban core energy with pockets of neighborhood calm, each with its own rhythm.
What neighborhoods and housing types are in Seattle?
Seattle’s housing is as varied as its terrain. You’ll find early-1900s craftsman homes, sleek modern townhouses, high-rise condos downtown, and bungalows tucked into tree-lined streets.
Ballard anchors the northwest side with Scandinavian roots, converted warehouses, and access to the Ship Canal. Capitol Hill brings walkable density and nightlife; Queen Anne perches on hills with skyline views; and Rainier Valley offers diverse housing stock near the light rail.
Lots are smaller inside city limits—typically 3,000 to 5,000 square feet—while neighborhoods north of 85th Street or toward West Seattle feature more single-family zoning.
If you’re checking zoning, Seattle’s official Land Use Code and interactive zoning map through the city’s Department of Construction & Inspections show parcel details, height limits, and ADU allowances.
How do people get around Seattle?
Driving in Seattle takes patience—the hills and drawbridges can slow things down—but the city’s transportation network is broad. Interstate 5 cuts north-south, while State Route 520 and I-90 link eastward over Lake Washington.
Transit riders rely on King County Metro buses, Sound Transit’s Link light rail, and the Seattle Streetcar. The Link line now runs from Northgate through downtown to SeaTac Airport, with extensions under construction toward Lynnwood and Federal Way.
Cycling is big here too. Protected lanes line major corridors like Dexter Avenue, and the Burke-Gilman Trail runs over 20 miles across the city. Seattle’s Walk Score hovers around 74—among the highest in the country—thanks to dense retail clusters and frequent transit.
What jobs and industries drive Seattle’s economy?
Seattle’s economy mixes technology, trade, aerospace, and health care. Amazon and Microsoft dominate the metro job base, with growing clusters in biotech (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, UW Medicine) and logistics (Port of Seattle).
As of 2025, the unemployment rate sits near 3.8%, just below the national average. Many residents commute regionally between Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond via bus or light rail.
The city’s Office of Economic Development tracks small-business programs, startup resources, and annual industry reports for anyone researching local employment trends.
How does the school system work in Seattle?
Public schools here operate under Seattle Public Schools (SPS)—Washington’s largest district. Assignment is primarily based on address, though some option schools and magnet programs exist.
To confirm where a specific home falls, use SPS’s School Assignment Lookup Tool. For performance data, families can review Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) reports, which list test scores, enrollment demographics, and student-teacher ratios.
Boundaries and programs shift occasionally, so it’s best to verify directly with the district before enrollment.
Where can you find parks, trails, and things to do outdoors?
Seattle’s green spaces define local life. Discovery Park covers over 500 acres with bluff trails and beaches, while Green Lake Park draws runners year-round. Gas Works Park offers skyline views from a reclaimed industrial site, and on summer weekends, Alki Beach in West Seattle feels like a coastal getaway.
The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department maintains over 480 parks and trails. Beyond the city, Mount Rainier National Park sits about two hours away, and the San Juan Islands are reachable by ferry for a weekend trip.
Farmers markets run nearly year-round—Ballard’s Sunday market is a favorite for local produce and salmon chowder.
What is the cost of living and typical housing cost in Seattle?
Seattle’s cost of living is above the national average, driven mostly by housing. As of mid-2025:
Median home price: roughly $875,000
Condo median: around $525,000
Typical rent: $2,400 for a one-bedroom
Property tax rate: about 0.92% of assessed value (King County Assessor, 2025)
Groceries, utilities, and transportation costs run 10–20% higher than U.S. averages, but Washington’s no state income tax partially offsets that difference. Budget planning tools from the Washington Office of Financial Management can help estimate monthly expenses.
How can you research zoning, permits, and property records?
Seattle’s Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) hosts online tools for property data:
Seattle Services Portal: for building permits and contractor records
Property & Building Activity Map: for current construction in your area
King County Parcel Viewer: for legal descriptions, lot sizes, and assessed values
Each page lists official sources and contact information for zoning questions or historic preservation reviews.
How can you find and read Seattle’s public safety data?
Seattle publishes transparent safety information through the Seattle Police Department (SPD) Crime Dashboard. It tracks incident types like property crime, theft, and vehicle prowls, updated monthly.
You can filter by neighborhood and time range, but data represent reported incidents, not conviction rates or overall “safety levels.” SPD also maintains an interactive 911 Incident Response Map for more recent activity.
For broader trends, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) compiles annual crime reports across the state.
FAQs
What’s Seattle’s weather really like?
Expect drizzle from October to May, with July and August usually sunny and in the 70s. Snow is rare but can briefly paralyze the hilly streets.
Is parking difficult in the city?
Downtown parking is tight and metered; most neighborhoods use residential permits. Many households skip owning a car thanks to transit access.
Are ferries part of daily commuting?
Yes—many residents from Bainbridge Island or Bremerton ride Washington State Ferries daily. Schedules are on the WSDOT Ferry System site.
Where do locals go for weekend fun?
Ballard’s Sunday market, Mariners games at T-Mobile Park, and hikes in the Cascade foothills are all close enough for a quick outing.
Can you live car-free in Seattle?
Easily in central neighborhoods. Between buses, light rail, and cycling infrastructure, many residents rely fully on transit.
How can renters check if a building is registered?
Use the city’s Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (RRIO) database through SDCI to verify compliance.
This article is for general information, not legal advice. For specific guidance, consult qualified counsel and official agencies.
Sources
City of Seattle – Department of Construction & Inspections
Seattle Police Department – Crime Dashboard
King County – Parcel Viewer
Seattle Public Schools – Assignment Lookup Tool
Washington OSPI – Report Card Data
Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) – 2025 Market Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau – Seattle City Data
Washington State Department of Transportation – Ferries
Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs – Annual Crime Reports