Salary Needed to Live in Seattle as a Single

A single adult living independently needs approximately $32,838/year to live comfortably in Seattle, WA — including 10% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$32,838
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$28,340
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,724
59% above national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Seattle

ExpenseSeattleNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 Studio/1BR Rent$217$113+92%
🛒 Groceries$26$17+53%
⚡ Utilities$21$14+50%
🚗 Transportation$41$26+58%
🛡️ Car Insurance$246$215+14%
🏥 Health Insurance$64$54+19%
Internet$112$65+72%
Phone$146$85+72%
Dining & Social$516$300+72%
Entertainment$206$120+72%
Personal Care$129$75+72%
Total Monthly$1,724$1,084+59%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$1,724
Target savings (10%):$222/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,946
Effective tax rate:27%

Gross annual salary needed:$32,838

Other Household Types in Seattle

Couple (No Kids)
$46,367/yr
$2,357/mo expenses
Family with Kids
$101,317/yr
$4,897/mo expenses
Retiree
$34,253/yr
$1,941/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in SeattleCity OverviewAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cheaper AlternativesCost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a single person need in Seattle?
A single person needs approximately $32,838/year ($2,737/month gross) to live comfortably in Seattle with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Seattle?
A studio/1br in Seattle costs approximately $217/month, which is the largest single expense at 13% of the total budget.
Is Seattle affordable for a single person?
Seattle is above the national average for single person living costs, requiring 59% more salary than the US median.
← Back to Seattle