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Seattle

Washington state data

Moderate tax burden · COL index 117

Wins 5 categories

VS

Portland

Oregon state data

Moderate tax burden · COL index 110

Wins 7 categories

Data reflects Washington vs Oregon state-level figures. City-specific data coming soon.

Washington
Oregon

Taxes

None
Income Tax (top rate)
9.9%
0.84%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.82%/yr
9.38%
Sales Tax (avg)
None
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
No
Estate Tax
No
7%
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

117
COL Index (100=avg)
110
$570K
Median Home Price
$480K
$2,000/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,700/mo
$900/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$800/yr

Crime & Safety

347
Violent Crime / 100K
302
3,187
Property Crime / 100K
3,078

Healthcare

#10 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#14 of 50
79.3 yrs
Life Expectancy
78 yrs
6.5%
Uninsured Rate
7.1%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#7 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#21 of 50
No
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$2,100/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$1,550/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$95/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$110/mo
$590/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$540/mo
#39 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#36 of 50

Social Policy

A
Gun Laws Grade
A-
D+16.0
2024 Presidential Margin
D+14.0

Category wins

5

Seattle

7

Portland

Run the full slider tool to score these states against your income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.

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People Also Ask

Which is better to live in Portland or Seattle?

Are people happier in Portland or Seattle?

A new national survey on urban satisfaction puts Seattle in the middle of the pack while its neighbor, Portland, ranks significantly lower. The findings come from the Gensler City Pulse 2025 report, which surveyed over 13,400 residents across 27 major U.S. cities between July and November 2024.

Is $80,000 a good salary in Seattle?

Is Portland or Seattle cleaner?

The two that came out on top are both Pacific Northwest darlings: Portland, Oregon (in first) and Seattle, Washington (in second).

Explore Washington in depth →Explore Oregon in depth →

Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

Dial in your priorities

Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked