How Much Do You Have to Make to Be Upper Class in Seattle?

Seattle, Washington is home to nearly 800,000 people. Those who live there, Seattleites as they are known, love the environment despite the many rainy days throughout the year.

Like anywhere else, Seattle is home to several different income classes. It begs the question, though, in an expensive city, how much does one have to make to be considered upper class?

We’ve done some digging into the costs of living in Emerald City.

How Many People Move to Seattle Annually?

Seattle is a fast-growing city, and was actually the most significant in terms of growth in the country in 2022. From July 2021 to 2022, nearly 18,000 people moved from across the US to live in Emerald City.

The presence of jobs, the political climate, and lack of state income tax make it an attractive city to live in.

Costs of Housing

Living in Seattle is not cheap. In fact, the cost of living is 112% higher than the US as a whole, and 64% higher than the rest of the state.

The average monthly rent for an apartment hovers around $2,275 for a studio, whereas the average home price sits over $1 million. The prices can vary depending on where in the city you live and how big of a place you rent or buy.

Costs of Food

Even though the US is a single country, the food costs can vary vastly among regions. In Seattle, you can expect to pay more for nearly everything, including meat, milk, eggs, and produce.

Eating out is more expensive in Seattle, too, with an average middle-range restaurant costing $60 or more for two people. That’s approximately $30 per person, where the national average is $25.

Costs of Utilities

Gas and electricity prices have gone up significantly in the US as a whole, and it stands to reason they would be higher in Seattle, where costs are already accelerated.

In 2024, according to energysage, the average consumption of electricity is 1067 kWh, which creates an average electricity bill of $153 per month. Many also have to pay water, gas for heating, and internet, to name a few, which each cost several hundred a year.

Costs of Transportation

Cars tend to be priced fairly comparably across the different states, but vehicle costs can easily exceed $30,000 depending on the make and model. As of November 2024, the gas prices in Seattle are well over $4 per gallon, with many stations exceeding $4.50.

Filling up the tank can easily cost $60 or more with current gas prices, though there are public transportation options such as the King County Metro Transit, where residents can buy a monthly pass for $99 if they don’t want to drive.

Overall Picture

In order to be considered upper class, or rich, in Seattle, you have to make enough to afford all of the amenities we mentioned, plus still have plenty left over to enjoy your preferred lifestyle.

The top 20% in the city earn more than $330,000, while the top 5% earn around $583,000 per year.