City Comparison
Seattle vs Redmond
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Redmond scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seattle
Redmond
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Seattle is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Redmond.
| Metric | Seattle | Redmond | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,250 | $2,450 | -8% |
| Groceries | $520 | $520 | 0% |
| Utilities | $210 | $195 | +8% |
| Transport | $140 | $140 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $290 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,410 | $3,595 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 152 | 152 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Redmond offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Redmond delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Seattle is estimated at
$82,000 vs $85,000 in Redmond.
| Metric | Seattle | Redmond |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,000 | $115,000 |
| Salary Needed | $82,000 | $85,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,474 idx | 75,658 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $145,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Seattle comes out ahead with 20 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Redmond sees 10.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seattle | Redmond |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | 52.40°F |
| Summer High | 76.10°F | 76.20°F |
| Winter Low | 38.10°F | 32.90°F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | 54.30 in |
| Snowfall | 8.80 in | 18.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | 218 |
| Humidity | 74.00% | 72.00% |
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 | Seattle | Redmond |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 73.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 56.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seattle is the larger city
— approximately 10.2x the population of Redmond.
From a growth perspective, Redmond is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Redmond has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Seattle | Redmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 783,155 | 76,543 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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
Redmond
Advantages
World-class job market anchored by Microsoft and a booming technology sector
Exceptional public school system and high overall educational attainment
Abundant outdoor recreation, including over 50 parks and miles of dedicated bike trails
Low crime rates and consistently high safety rankings statewide
Expansion of the Sound Transit Link light rail improving regional connectivity
Drawbacks
High cost of living and steep housing prices compared to the national average
Significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on major arteries like SR 520
Competitive real estate market making homeownership challenging for median earners
Overcast and rainy winter weather patterns characteristic of the Pacific Northwest
Rising commercial and residential rents impacting local small businesses
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Redmond
#272Washington, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,450
Avg Salary
$115,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
218/yr
Avg Temp
52.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
86
Business
88
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