City Comparison
Everett vs Seattle
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Everett scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Everett
Seattle
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Everett is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Seattle.
Housing costs are a major driver: Everett's average rent is
13% lower than Seattle's.
| Metric | Everett | Seattle | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $2,250 | -13% |
| Groceries | $420 | $520 | -19% |
| Utilities | $175 | $210 | -17% |
| Transport | $110 | $140 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $290 | -17% |
| Monthly Total | $2,895 | $3,410 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 152 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seattle offers 27% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Seattle delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Everett is estimated at
$60,000 vs $82,000 in Seattle.
| Metric | Everett | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $98,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $82,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,017 idx | 64,474 idx |
| Household Income | $78,000 | $115,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, Seattle comes out ahead with 16 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Everett sees 15.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Everett | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.60°F | 54.40°F |
| Summer High | 73.20°F | 76.10°F |
| Winter Low | 33.50°F | 38.10°F |
| Rainfall | 50.40 in | 40.80 in |
| Snowfall | 23.90 in | 8.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 222 | 238 |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Seattle scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Seattle leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Everett | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 73.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 62.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seattle is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Everett.
From a growth perspective, Everett is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Seattle has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Everett | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,000 | 783,155 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Everett
Advantages
Median home prices in Everett remain significantly lower than in neighboring Seattle and Bellevue.
Direct access to Puget Sound waterfront, local marinas, and close proximity to Cascade Mountain recreation.
Strong local economy anchored by major aerospace manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
Served by robust regional transit options including commuter rail and Interstate 5 connectivity.
Vibrant downtown area featuring craft breweries, local dining, and entertainment venues like Angel of the Winds Arena.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain commercial and downtown pockets remain higher than the national average.
Traffic congestion along Interstate 5 and major arterial roads during peak commuting hours can be severe.
Cost of living and housing expenses have risen steadily due to spillover demand from the greater Seattle area.
Annual rainfall and overcast winter days contribute to limited sunlight during the darker months.
Rental vacancy rates can be tight, leading to competitive conditions for prospective tenants.
Seattle
Advantages
Thriving job market anchored by global tech, aerospace, and biotech leaders
Unmatched access to outdoor recreation including mountains, forests, and marine waters
High median household income well above the national average
Vibrant culinary, coffee, and craft beverage culture
Progressive, highly educated, and culturally active community
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the U.S. average
Frequent overcast skies and high annual rainfall during the winter months
Persistent traffic congestion during peak commuting hours
Urban property crime and public safety challenges in specific downtown sectors
High barrier to entry for prospective first-time home buyers
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Everett
#504Washington, USA
52.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
222/yr
Avg Temp
51.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
75
Business
70
Seattle
#513Washington, USA
51.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,250
Avg Salary
$98,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
73.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
84
Business
85
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