City Comparison
Seattle vs Yakima
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seattle scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seattle
Yakima
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yakima is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
38% lower than in Seattle.
Housing costs are a major driver: Seattle's average rent is
100% higher than Yakima's.
| Metric | Seattle | Yakima | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,250 | $1,127 | +100% |
| Groceries | $520 | $450 | +16% |
| Utilities | $210 | $274 | -23% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $153 | +90% |
| Monthly Total | $3,410 | $2,124 | +61% |
| Cost Index | 152 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seattle offers 183% 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 $49,428 in Yakima.
| Metric | Seattle | Yakima |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,000 | $34,628 |
| Salary Needed | $82,000 | $49,428 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,474 idx | 33,949 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $59,829 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Seattle runs warmer on average — a 54.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Seattle comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seattle sees 8.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seattle | Yakima |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 74.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yakima has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Seattle.
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 | Yakima |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 73.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seattle is the larger city
— approximately 8x the population of Yakima.
From a growth perspective, Seattle 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 | Yakima |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 783,155 | 97,769 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | — |
| Median Age | 35.8 | |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.3B |
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
Yakima
Advantages
Yakima enjoys approximately 300 sunny days per year, making it one of Washington's sunniest major cities.
The cost of living in Yakima is notably affordable, with housing costs significantly lower than the national average.
The region is a world-class wine country with over 120 wineries, offering unique recreational and cultural experiences.
Residents have access to excellent outdoor recreation opportunities, including the Yakima River and nearby mountains, lakes, and trails.
The average commute time in Yakima County is shorter than the Washington state average, at 17.3 minutes.
Drawbacks
Yakima's overall crime rate is 22% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 52% higher.
The nightlife and cultural scene can be limited, with many establishments closing early and less investment in arts compared to larger cities.
Public transit is not extensive, making car ownership almost essential for getting around the city effectively.
Some specialized medical care may require residents to travel to larger cities outside of Yakima.
Groceries and utilities are slightly more expensive than the national average.
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
Yakima
#564Washington, USA
47.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,127
Avg Salary
$34,628
Cost Index
102
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.30%
Livability
74
Business
68
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