Can You Afford Seattle? How Much Money Do You REALLY Need? (2026)

Thinking about moving to Seattle? One of the biggest questions people ask is: How much money do you actually need to live here? The answer isn't as simple as one salary number. In this video, I break down what life in the Seattle area can realistically look like at different household income levels—from $100,000 all the way to $300,000+. We'll talk about housing costs, renting vs. buying, different neighborhoods, commute tradeoffs, and why two families making the exact same income can have completely different lifestyles. After helping hundreds of buyers relocate to the Seattle area, one thing I've learned is that income is only part of the equation. Your commute, priorities, housing payment, and where you choose to live often matter even more. In this video you'll learn: • What $100K, $150K, $200K, and $300K+ household incomes actually feel like • Typical housing costs in the Seattle area • Renting vs. buying in today's market • Neighborhoods to consider at different budgets • Why your monthly payment matters more than purchase price • Washington's no state income tax advantage (and what you should know) 📅 Thinking about buying a home in Seattle? My contact information is on the screen throughout the video, or you can use the links below to schedule a call. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ 🤔Thinking of Moving to Seattle, WA? 📱 Call or Text: (425) 449-0442 📨 Email: jonhodgson@johnlscott.com 📅 Zoom: https://calendly.com/hodgsonhomesreal... 🏡 Search Seattle Area Homes: https://www.hodgsonhomesgroup.com/ ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ If this is your first time to this channel, and you want to know everything about Seattle, WA and the surrounding areas, then subscribe▶ and tap the bell🛎 for notifications, so you can be the first to know about the current market in Seattle, WA 😁 ▶Subscribe 👉   / @livinginseattle-jonh   I post new videos every week covering: • Moving to Seattle • Living in Seattle • Eastside neighborhoods • Home buying tips • Relocation advice If you're thinking about making a move to the Seattle area, subscribe so you don't miss future videos. #SeattleRealEstate #MovingToSeattle #SeattleHomes #LivingInSeattle #SeattleRealtor #SeattleHomeBuying #RelocatingToSeattle All stats, data, house pricing, and anything else mentioned is always subject to change and is provided merely as an example at the time of this recording Jon Hodgson Seattle, Washington Real Estate Agent | WA Real Estate License: 110447 Brokered by John L. Scott, Inc. Seattle, WA real estate Jon Hodgson Seattle WA real estate