What Seattle actually looks, feels, and costs like for someone considering moving. Neighbourhoods, climate, transport, healthcare, safety, and the practical scaffolding — every figure sourced.
Country
United States
Americas
Population
4,044,837
metro · 2023
Area
21,202 km²
Elevation
52 m
city centre
Time zone
America/Los_Angeles
Currency
USD
Airport
SEA · Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Metro
1 metro line · tram network
Walkability
●●●●○
editorial score · 1–5
Bike friendliness
●●●○○
editorial score · 1–5
Primary language
English primary. Significant tech workforce with English as common professional language.
Seattle is a city of 4,044,837 people in United States (Americas). It is one of United States's largest urban centres. The main international airport is SEA (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport). The metro system has 1 line, alongside a tram network.
A one-bedroom city-centre apartment runs approximately $2,250 (approximately €2,070) per month. Monthly groceries for one person run approximately $445. A monthly public-transport pass costs $99. Across the 100 cities Meridian tracks, Seattle ranks 91st overall on combined monthly essentials — among the more expensive.
Seattle's climate is continental — August is typically the warmest month with average highs around 25°C, while January is the coldest with average lows near 2°C. Annual rainfall totals approximately 999mm, wettest in November.
Cost of living
Cost of living
Total monthly essentials: approximately €2,731/month EUR-equivalent for a single person in a 1-bedroom flat (rent + utilities + groceries + transit). District and lifestyle swing this 30–50% either way.
Visa policy, taxation, healthcare, and broadband infrastructure are national rather than city-level — the numbers below are United States-wide context for someone weighing Seattle specifically. Each links through to the full country brief.
USCIS finalised a rule replacing the randomised H-1B lottery with a weighted selection system that prioritises higher-paid roles. Registrations are weighted at different rates depending on the prevailing-wage level (Level I receives the lowest weight; Level IV the highest). Effective 27 February 2026; applies to the FY2027 cap registration season.
Who it affects: All H-1B cap-subject employers and prospective registrants from FY2027 onwards.
The Department of State's annual DV-lottery ineligibility list is recalculated each year based on prior-5-year immigration volumes. For DV-2027 (registration Oct-Nov 2025), several countries were added to the ineligible list (Brazil, Colombia joined the existing list of high-volume countries); some smaller countries previously ineligible became eligible. Practical effect: shifts in who can register for the 50,000 annual diversity visas.
Who it affects: Prospective DV-lottery registrants from countries added to or removed from the ineligible list.
A companion Presidential Proclamation to the H-1B fee order restricted entry of certain non-immigrant workers pending the Department of Homeland Security's publication of implementing guidance. The proclamation's practical scope has developed through 2025–2026 agency guidance; ongoing litigation contests several provisions.
Who it affects: Non-immigrant workers in categories specified by subsequent DHS implementing guidance.
A one-bedroom apartment in central Seattle rents for around $2,250 (approximately €2,070) per month. Combined monthly essentials (rent + utilities + groceries + transit) total approximately €2,731 EUR-equivalent. Individual spend varies 30–50% by district and lifestyle.
Is Seattle expensive compared to other global cities?
Seattle ranks 91st out of 100 cities Meridian tracks for combined monthly living costs — among the most expensive quartile, and 3rd of 5 within United States. Rankings use EUR-normalised rent + utilities + groceries + transit.
What's the weather like in Seattle?
Seattle sees average summer highs of 25°C in August and winter lows of 2°C in January. Annual rainfall totals about 999mm. Full monthly breakdown in the Climate section above.
What visa do I need to move to Seattle?
Seattle's visa regime is set at the national level — United States tracks 4 residence-permit routes including H-1B Specialty Occupation, O-1 Extraordinary Ability, L-1 Intracompany Transferee, among others. See the United States country brief for full eligibility, salary thresholds, and processing times.
How do you get around in Seattle?
Seattle has 1 metro line plus an extensive tram network; the city centre is highly walkable (Meridian editorial score 4/5). Monthly transit pass cost is in the breakdown above.
What language is spoken in Seattle?
English primary. Significant tech workforce with English as common professional language.
What is the main airport for Seattle?
Seattle's primary international airport is SEA (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport).