If you are weighing a move to or from Seattle, the comparison you actually need accounts for three things at once: what housing costs, what the tax structure takes, and what you earn in each place.
A single index number cannot capture that. This comparison breaks it out.
The quick summary
| City | Median home | State income tax | Sales tax | vs. Seattle overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $900K – $1.1M | None on wages | ≈ 10.3% | — |
| San Francisco | $1.3M – $1.6M | Up to 13.3% | ≈ 8.6% | 15 – 25% higher |
| San Jose | $1.4M – $1.7M | Up to 13.3% | ≈ 9.4% | 10 – 20% higher |
| New York City | $750K – $1.1M | Up to 10.9% + city tax | ≈ 8.9% | 10 – 20% higher |
| Boston | $750K – $950K | 5% flat (+4% surtax) | 6.25% | Roughly comparable |
| Los Angeles | $950K – $1.2M | Up to 13.3% | ≈ 9.5% | 5 – 10% lower |
| San Diego | $950K – $1.15M | Up to 13.3% | ≈ 7.75% | 5 – 12% lower |
| Washington DC | $650K – $850K | Up to 10.75% | 6% | 5 – 10% lower |
| Portland | $520K – $620K | Up to 9.9% | None | 10 – 18% lower |
| Denver | $580K – $700K | 4.4% flat | ≈ 8.8% | 15 – 25% lower |
| Chicago | $350K – $450K | 4.95% flat | ≈ 10.25% | 20 – 30% lower |
| Austin | $480K – $580K | None | ≈ 8.25% | 20 – 30% lower |
| Atlanta | $400K – $500K | Up to 5.39% | ≈ 8.9% | 25 – 35% lower |
| Phoenix | $450K – $550K | 2.5% flat | ≈ 8.6% | 25 – 35% lower |
| Houston | $330K – $420K | None | ≈ 8.25% | 30 – 40% lower |
| Spokane | $380K – $460K | None on wages | ≈ 9.0% | 30 – 40% lower |
Figures are approximate 2026 estimates for general comparison.
Seattle vs. Portland
The most common regional comparison, and the most instructive on taxes.
Housing: Portland is meaningfully cheaper. Median home prices run roughly $350,000 to $450,000 below Seattle.
Taxes: This is where it inverts. Oregon has no sales tax but a state income tax topping out near 9.9 percent. Washington has no wage income tax but sales tax above 10 percent. Portland residents also face additional local income taxes for regional programs.
The math: for a household earning $200,000, Oregon state income tax runs roughly $16,000 to $18,000. That is a substantial recurring cost that Seattle residents do not pay. Over a decade, it approaches the housing price gap.
Verdict: Portland is cheaper for lower and moderate incomes. For higher earners, the gap narrows significantly and can close entirely.
Seattle vs. Denver
Housing: Denver runs roughly $250,000 to $400,000 below Seattle on median home price.
Taxes: Colorado has a flat 4.4 percent income tax. On $200,000 of income that is roughly $8,800 annually — real, but less than half what California or Oregon would take.
Other factors: Denver has more sunshine, a drier climate, and comparable outdoor access with a different character — mountains rather than water and forest. Seattle wages in tech and aerospace generally run higher.
Verdict: Denver is genuinely less expensive overall, roughly 15 to 25 percent. The gap narrows for higher earners because of the income tax difference, but does not close.
Seattle vs. Austin
Housing: Austin is substantially cheaper, roughly $400,000 below Seattle on median home price.
Taxes: Texas has no state income tax, matching Washington. But Texas property tax rates are among the highest in the nation, commonly 1.8 to 2.3 percent of assessed value compared to Washington's 0.85 to 1.0 percent.
The math: on a $500,000 Austin home at 2.0 percent, annual property tax is roughly $10,000. On a $900,000 Seattle home at 0.9 percent, it is roughly $8,100. The Austin home costs $400,000 less but carries a higher annual tax bill.
Verdict: Austin is meaningfully cheaper overall, but the property tax difference erodes more of the advantage than most people expect.
Seattle vs. Chicago
Housing: Chicago is dramatically cheaper — roughly $500,000 below Seattle on median home price, one of the largest gaps among major US cities.
Taxes: Illinois has a flat 4.95 percent income tax. Cook County property tax rates are high, often 1.8 to 2.5 percent. Chicago sales tax is comparable to Seattle's at roughly 10.25 percent.
Verdict: Chicago is 20 to 30 percent less expensive overall. Housing is the dominant driver. The income and property tax burden partially offsets it, but Chicago remains clearly cheaper.
Seattle vs. the California markets
Covered in depth in our California relocation guide, but the short version:
San Francisco and San Jose are more expensive than Seattle on housing and add up to 13.3 percent state income tax. Seattle is clearly cheaper on net.
Los Angeles and San Diego are roughly comparable to Seattle on housing but add the California income tax. For higher earners, Seattle comes out ahead. For moderate incomes, they are close.
Sacramento and inland California are cheaper than Seattle on housing, and the income tax savings do not fully close the gap for moderate earners.
Seattle vs. Boston and New York
Boston is roughly comparable to Seattle overall. Housing is somewhat cheaper, but Massachusetts levies a 5 percent flat income tax plus a 4 percent surtax on income above roughly $1 million. Sales tax is lower at 6.25 percent.
New York City is 10 to 20 percent more expensive than Seattle. Median home prices vary enormously by borough, but the combination of New York State income tax up to 10.9 percent plus a separate New York City income tax creates a tax burden Seattle does not approach.
Seattle vs. Spokane
Worth including because it is a common in-state comparison.
Housing: Spokane runs roughly $450,000 to $550,000 below Seattle.
Taxes: Identical state structure — no wage income tax, comparable sales tax, similar property tax framework.
The difference is purely housing and wages. Spokane is 30 to 40 percent cheaper overall, but wages in most industries are correspondingly lower. For remote workers earning Seattle-level income, Spokane is one of the strongest value propositions in the country.
What these comparisons consistently miss
State income tax. The most common omission, and the most consequential. A household earning $300,000 saves $20,000 to $25,000 annually relative to California or Oregon. Over ten years that is $200,000 to $250,000 — comparable to a large share of a home price gap.
Property tax rates, not just home prices. A cheaper house in a high property tax state can cost more annually than an expensive house in a low-rate state.
Local wages. Cost of living indices measure expenses, not income. Seattle wages in technology, aerospace, and healthcare run well above national averages. The correct comparison is cost relative to local earning power.
Commute and transportation costs. A cheaper home 50 minutes from work carries real costs in fuel, vehicle wear, and time.
Childcare. Frequently excluded from indices and often the largest single line item for households with young children. Seattle infant care runs $2,000 to $2,900 monthly.
Common questions
Is Seattle cheaper than Portland? On housing, no — Portland is cheaper. On net for higher earners, the two are close because Oregon has a state income tax and Washington does not.
Which is cheaper, Seattle or Denver? Denver, by roughly 15 to 25 percent overall. Housing drives most of the gap.
Does no income tax make Seattle affordable? It makes Seattle more affordable than the raw housing numbers suggest, especially above roughly $150,000 in household income. It does not make Seattle inexpensive.
What is the cheapest major West Coast city? Among large metros, Spokane, Boise, and Sacramento offer the lowest costs. Portland is the cheapest large metro on the immediate West Coast.
Where in the Seattle metro is most affordable? Kent, Auburn, Federal Way, and Tacoma offer the lowest entry points while remaining connected to the regional employment base.
Compare the markets that actually apply to you
Cost of living comparisons are useful for orientation but poor for decisions. What matters is what your specific budget buys in the specific neighborhoods you would actually consider.
Related reading: Cost of living in Seattle in 2026 → | Washington State property tax guide → | How to choose the right Seattle suburb →
Figures are 2026 estimates for general comparison and change frequently. Verify current tax rates with a licensed tax professional.
Tribeca NW Real Estate serves buyers and sellers across Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and the greater Puget Sound region. 1,675 homes closed. $1B+ in volume. 875+ five-star reviews.
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