City Comparison
Seattle vs Vancouver
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Vancouver scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seattle
Vancouver
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Vancouver is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Seattle.
Housing costs are a major driver: Seattle's average rent is
29% higher than Vancouver's.
| Metric | Seattle | Vancouver | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,250 | $1,750 | +29% |
| Groceries | $520 | $450 | +16% |
| Utilities | $210 | $190 | +11% |
| Transport | $140 | $130 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $260 | +12% |
| Monthly Total | $3,410 | $2,780 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 152 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seattle offers 44% higher 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 Seattle is estimated at
$82,000 vs $58,000 in Vancouver.
| Metric | Seattle | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $82,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,474 idx | 62,963 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $78,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Seattle sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seattle | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | 55.60°F |
| Summer High | 76.10°F | 80.90°F |
| Winter Low | 38.10°F | 37.00°F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | 50.60 in |
| Snowfall | 8.80 in | 8.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | 243 |
| Humidity | 74.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 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 | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 73.0/100 | 44.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seattle is the larger city
— approximately 4x the population of Vancouver.
From a growth perspective, Vancouver 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 | Seattle | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 783,155 | 197,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.50% |
| 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
Vancouver
Advantages
No Washington state personal income tax, providing significant financial savings for residents.
Thriving waterfront district featuring award-winning dining, parks, and community spaces.
Proximity to Portland, Oregon, offering easy access to major metropolitan amenities and arts.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities including the Columbia River and nearby Cascade Mountains.
Strong job market growth in healthcare, technology, and manufacturing sectors.
Drawbacks
Significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours across the I-5 and I-205 bridges.
Rising housing and rental costs driven by high regional demand and population growth.
Moderate public transit and walkability scores outside the immediate downtown core.
Higher-than-average sales tax rates compared to some neighboring states.
Overcast and rainy weather conditions during the extended autumn and winter seasons.
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
Vancouver
#362Washington, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
44.0/100
Sunny Days
243/yr
Avg Temp
55.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
76
Business
71
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