Seattle ranks 3rd in US for middle-class affordability

Amid rising housing costs in the Seattle area, among other factors nationwide such as skyrocketing egg prices, a new study reveals how much it costs to live comfortably in the Emerald City in the middle class. 

In the Seattle metro, necessities will cost an estimated $127,216. This includes housing, food, schooling, childcare, transportation, healthcare, and more expenses.

However, with a median income of $188,560, according to Upgraded Points, there is more breathing room for finances than in other U.S. cities. 

Big picture view:

Just two cities rank worse than Seattle in this affordability study: Washington, D.C. (No. 2) and San Jose, California, at No. 1.

In D.C., families will need $131,014 for average expenses on a median income basis of $195,700. In San Jose, the famous Silicon Valley area, families will need to spend a whopping $164,202 on necessities. The average income in the Bay Area city reaches up to $230,000, however. 

The rest of the top 10 highest cost cities are as follows:

Baltimore, MD

  • Expenses: $110,491
  • Median income $167,550
  • Spending money $57,059

Austin, TX

  • Expenses: $107,454
  • Median income: $164,000
  • Spending money: $56,546

Boston, MA

  • Expenses: $145,771
  • Median income: $200,000
  • Spending money: $54,229

Raleigh, NC

  • Expenses: $107,101
  • Median income: $160,000
  • Spending money: $52,899

Minneapolis, MN

  • Expenses: $119,130
  • Median income: $167,630
  • Spending money: $48,500

Columbus, OH

  • Expenses: $96,464
  • Median income: $144,430
  • Spending money: $47,966

Richmond, VA

  • Expenses: $105,757
  • Median income: $151,000
  • Spending money: $45,243

What they're saying:

"These findings highlight the complex interplay between wages and living costs. While expensive cities often provide middle-class earners with higher disposable income, families in more moderately priced locations can face tighter financial constraints if wages fail to keep pace with cost of living," said Alex Miller, author with Upgraded Points.

The full study and findings can be found here

Related

Seattle homebuyers need record-high income for median-priced home

According to a new report, Seattle homebuyers spent 54.1% of their earnings on housing costs in 2024.

The Source: Information for this report comes from a study conducted by Upgraded Points. 

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