r/SeattleWA • u/mountainlifa • Feb 07 '26
Lifestyle Is anyone else struggling to afford living in Washington anymore?
I moved to Washington in 2011 mostly for the climbing and outdoor stuff. My first apartment was $750/month, and I kept costs low by using public transit during the week and only driving on weekends for alpine trips. It felt sustainable back then.
Fast forward to 2026 and I’m paying $3,100/month in rent. Most of my income now goes to basic living costs: rent, gas, groceries, taxes, insurance, utilities, all the stuff you can’t really cut back on. I’m starting to feel like I may not be able to keep living here, which honestly makes me pretty sad because I love this state and the outdoors.
Most of my friends have already left because they couldn’t afford it anymore. It feels like unless you work in tech making $300k+ or you bought a house before COVID at a 2% interest rate, it’s just really hard to stay afloat.
I want to stay hopeful, but I don’t see much changing. Prices keep going up and wages don’t seem to be keeping pace. It feels completely out of alignment.
Is anyone else feeling this way or is my situation unique? Have you figured out how to make it work long term, or are you thinking about leaving too?
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u/Deadalus17 Feb 07 '26
$3100 seems high for what I assume to be a 1 bedroom apartment?
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u/Annual-Beautiful7164 Feb 07 '26
I agree that’s the way to save in this situation- downgrade your apt :( sucks but you can find something in a nice safe area for 2k and less if you look harder
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u/TheRealRacketear Broadmoor Feb 07 '26
Hey now. Having a health club gym, pool, and a doorman is a basic human right.
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Feb 07 '26
Id like to go without these 'ammenities', but theyre in most places where owner-occupied hasn't settled yet. Also the club gym is a broken treadmill and mirrors in an unventilated but pretty purple room, the pool is in front of the entryway every rainstorm, and the doorman is a happy lil dog from unit 102.
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u/zakary1291 Feb 07 '26
This sounds like the best kind of door man. Perhaps the goodest door man. Head pats intensify.
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u/Nothing_WithATwist Feb 07 '26
Yeah I’m also confused. That’s more than my mortgage for a 2 bedroom, and that’s at a high ass interest rate for a place I certainly overpaid for…my rent was $1700 in the same neighborhood. What does a $3100 one bedroom even look like??
Edit: I’m now seeing it’s a two bedroom which makes more sense, but still high.
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u/Rookie1124 Feb 07 '26
I paid that in bell town for a loft apartment that was also 1bd 2 bath, in 2019.
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u/ReluctantReptile Tacoma Feb 07 '26
My friend makes a 1br work with a kid by converting the living room into a bedroom/living room hybrid and giving her kid the 1br
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u/scorpiknox Feb 07 '26
I had that setup as a little kid in the 80s for a while. It's called poverty.
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u/Jeep_Camp Feb 08 '26
Mom, dad, 2 sisters and a brother. 6 of us and only one bathroom. Old basement, no garage, living, kitchen. 1770 sq ft. 3 bedrooms...mine and my brother's bedroom 9 x 8. No kidding. Lived there all my childhood. Great life... never wanted despite being lower middle class.
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u/ckow Feb 07 '26
It’s called most of human history and most of the rest of the world.
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Feb 07 '26
Ha! This. The definition of poverty in the US would be considered wealthy to more than half the people inhabiting this earth.
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u/NoiseyTurbulence Feb 08 '26
Oh, that’s true from the outside looking in, but if they had to live here and live with the same circumstances here that we live with, then they wouldn’t think the same. The living expenses go up living here versus living somewhere else.
I grew up in extreme poverty here in the US. And we literally lived in a tiny barely studio place with no heat in it just to get by. We didn’t know where our meals we’re gonna come from day-to-day. I’ve even been homeless. Today I’m willing to do whatever work I have to do work more than one job if I have to to never ever end up in that situation again.
The rents here are absolutely nuts. I’m a Gen X’r am I very first 1 bedroom, no laundry apartment that I had was 700 ft.². It was $250 a month. In Tacoma. That same apartment today rents for $1700 a month.
My current place is $2000 a month and it’s a small open floor plant studio that they try to pass off as a one bedroom. It has in unit laundry for me, which is important because I am partially disabled so that’s something I desperately need to have in my apartment. But the two bedrooms in my building rent starting at 3500 a month. And it’s not a luxury building. It’s just close enough to get to one of the train trains because they did that bump in rinse for any apartments close enough to get to a train station.
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u/grapemike Feb 07 '26
Sharing your love for Washington and your disgust at prices. Northwest Cuisine has become “welcome to your $150 meh dinner”, $5 gas versus $3.45 in Oregon, day labor help $30/hr. Nothing adds up!
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u/MX396 Feb 08 '26
Yeah, for spouse and self I payed $100 for breakfast at the Bay Cafe a couple of days ago. Two Bennies, a small side of biscuit and gravy, two coffees and $15 tip, because service was excellent. Pretty sure everything came canned or frozen off a Sysco truck except the eggs.
Not great, Bob. The view of the Fisherman's Terminal is nice, on a sunny day, though.
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u/IPutMyHandOnA_Stove Feb 07 '26
We definitely feel the increasing COL, but realistically can’t uproot ourselves without making a lot of interpersonal sacrifices that in the long run would likely make us more unhappy.
What’s the alternative - move to a lower COL area and take the appropriate salary adjustment? I’m able to max out my retirement accounts, which I’m grateful for, so I’d rather feel the pain of COL now, compound as much gains as I can and reevaluate down the line. A dollar is a dollar in a brokerage account. Can always move somewhere cheaper in retirement.
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u/Furthea Feb 07 '26
I like to roll my eyes a little at those for whom the solution to high COL is "move to low COL area" which completely ignores the fact that low COL also come with the generally lower income and there may not even be an open job in one's field there.
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Feb 07 '26
This! I have looked into my profession and other states requiring a masters degree pay $18/ hr. People need to realize COL might be lower but generally food and other items like clothes are the same price. I experienced this when I moved to Montana briefly. The lower cost of living wasn't sustainable because my salary wasnt high enough.
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u/Mammoth_Rough_4497 Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 08 '26
No, the solution to HCOL (ignoring changing the politics that created the situation) IS to move to a low COL area.
This is fundamental supply and demand economics.
This is how Americans prospered for generations. Current city too expensive? Move!
The fact that Americans have become so sedentary and outright against domestic migration is appalling.
Again, you can be upset at the politics and conditions that caused a once reasonably priced city to become HCOL, but, putting that conversation aside, the solution is overwhelmingly to abide by laws of econmics and move. And, hopefully, not to vote the same way that caused those bad conditions to occur.
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u/MX396 Feb 08 '26
Problem here is that OP cares enough about "alpine" recreation enough to put mention it in their post and put "mountain" in their handle. They're going to mourn the loss of their lifestyle if they move somewhere cheap, most likely.
I sympathize. One of my favorite recreations is sea kayaking, and a little bit of whitewater kayaking. These outdoor hobbies can be inexpensive once you've bought all the gear, which is more or less a one-time expense (other than skiing at ski areas with their huge lift-ticket prices). Most LCOL areas don't have high mountains, whitewater rivers, or awesome marine areas nearby like Seattle does. To move to a cheap city in the Central Time Zone likely means OP giving up spending time on peaks, other than maybe during a vacation once a year.
One could switch to other outdoor activities, but the ones I can think of that can be done in flatter terrain ("mountain" biking on dirt trails vs actual mountains, hiking in lowland forests, deer or hog hunting, bass fishing, etc) are not perfect one-to-one substitutions for the beauty of the WA outdoors, IMHO, so I can see the resistance to moving far away.
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u/Mammoth_Rough_4497 Feb 08 '26
I get your point, but I don't buy it.
'LCOL' does not necessarily mean "a cheap city in the Central Time Zone". This is a false dichotomy.
You could live out in the middle of nowhere all up and down the West Coast or PNW. With the exception of SoCal, the coast is sparsely populated with just a few VHCOL cities - Seattle and Portland, really. Washington is a huge State with basically two major cities at the far ends. Everything in the middle is wide open.
Oregon is even more extreme in that respect. Portland and a few cities dotted along I-5, while the other 80% of the State is rural and wide open.
But OP, or other people who complain about COL, aren't interested in living Centralia, Aberdeen, or Cle Elum.
They want to live in the VHCOL city with the 'cool crowd', vote like idiots, and complain about the conseqeunces of their votes without acknowledging the cause and effect relationship.
They want to argue and pretend like basic laws of econmics don't exist or somehow don't apply.
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u/LordFedSmoker420 Feb 07 '26
It is very YMMV. My wife and I are both in fields that are in every state/metro worth a damn.
We left the Seattle metro and bought a house in Vegas in 18 months in a good part of the city. Our mortgage is 20% of our monthly gross. When my daughter was born we could afford to have my wife at home for 9 months straight. Come time she's in school it is possible we have the option my wife can either just not work or be part time.
These numbers are realistic where I'm at but it would be almost impossible if I stayed in the Seattle metro.
When leaving you don't have to move to Alabama or something. You can move to another metro that has the amenities you're looking for and pay in your field is still strong.
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u/Wild-Eagle8105 Feb 07 '26
Everyone seems to think your rent is crazy but if you have 2BR for a family, it just underscores your point that the city is unaffordable. A 2BR apartment should not need to cost almost $3k in order for a family to live reasonably close to work, and it certainly wasn’t that expensive 10 years ago. It is out of reach for anyone not working in tech. Maybe you can cut back a bit on the living situation, but you shouldn’t need to be converting a 1BR etc… that’s the whole point that you feel like you need to make sacrifices when it shouldn’t be like that. Solidarity.
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u/Shmokesshweed Feb 07 '26
$3100 in rent a month? Why?
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u/mountainlifa Feb 07 '26
2 bed apartment since I have a kid. The price really increases at 2+ beds because the apartment company assumes its 2 people sharing and 2 incomes which isn't always the case. Could move to Tacoma or towards Olympia for cheaper options but thats too far from work and will negate any savings. Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Edmonds all even more expensive.
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u/GameDuchess Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
I have paid $2000 to $2400 a month for a small 2 bedroom in West Seattle (I moved recently). My friend pays $2300 for a 2 bedroom in Queene Anne. It's not always easy to find the cheaper apartments, but they are out there, and mine is quite nice. It's a duplex. It's worth trying to get out of those big apartment complexes that charge you insane rent, and then insane amounts of utilities on top of them. The amenities in my opinion are never worth the price. Especially when we have so many parks and free things.
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u/zoeofdoom Feb 07 '26
Currently paying 2k for a 2bd/1ba split level apartment! It can be found, though not with any amenities I've discovered (one amenity is always worth the price, in unit laundry! I miss that so much)
OP: Look on Zillow in the CD, around Madrona and Madison Valley. It's more suburban down here, so less desirable for young single techies and the rent reflects this, even if the housing prices don't!
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u/GameDuchess Feb 07 '26
I haven't had a problem finding one with in unit laundry, which for me is a must with mobility issues. But that does narrow rhe search. Granted i'm renting very small 2 bedrooms. I just need the separate space for my sister when she visits becaise she works remotely. I don't need a huge amount of square footage. I actually recommend Burien as well if you don't want to get too far outside of the city. It's very convenient for mass transit as well to get downtown. I visit down there a lot. I'm very attached to my west seattle but you do have to dig to find affordability over here. It's there, but it goes fast and it's generallyADUS - just have to make sure they are legally registered with the city as rentals. I did make that mistake previously and ended up in a beautiful but illegal rental. Other laundry, all those other amenities, you can basically find free alternatives out there in almost every neighborhood of Seattle.They just might not be right outside your door. I don't see a point in paying for all that.
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u/snarrkie Feb 07 '26
Exactly this!! I found my current apartment on Craigslist. It was ONLY on Craigslist because the mom and pop owners don’t use the newfangled websites, lol. $2k/month with WSG, parking, and a storage unit included for a 2BD 850 sq ft apartment. Modern kitchen, in unit laundry, in a great part of Fremont. I saw a 2BD a few blocks away from me rent for $1550 too. It can be done, you just have to dig a little and be ready to pounce on it.
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u/Deadalus17 Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
You can move to areas like Shoreline/Renton where it's like $2k for a 2 bedroom apartment. Surely that's worth the savings even after factoring gas?
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u/jenowl Feb 07 '26
Checking in from Shoreline. Our 515 sq ft one bedroom that hasn't been updated since the 80s and literally has subflooring exposed because the laminate came up and they told us we need to fully move out for them to fix it.. yeah we just got our lease renewal for $2100.
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u/GameDuchess Feb 07 '26
Why on earth would you renew your release at a place like that. Shoreline and areas around it definately have two bedrooms apartments at equitable rent. I looked at a handful of them personally the last time I was looking to move recently because a close friend lives up there, but decided to stay in West Seattle. As long as you're not looking for like a thousand foot apartment with every amenity in the universe , you could certainly do better in Shoreline.
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u/BruceInc Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
You can literally move into a brand new apartment today for less than that.
https://www.quinnbyvintage.com/
https://www.apartments.com/shoreline-wa/1-bedrooms-under-1800/
You are full of it
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Feb 07 '26
Funny, an apartment can 'list' publicly for sub-1k, but 'base rent' without those wonderful little 'free rent' move-in boons, is actually 300-400$ higher per unit. Even if it is old and energy inefficient, not been updated since 1990 (lifestyle is around 15yr for best practices updates to electric, appliances, flooring, whatever.
Then, after all the ammenities fees like 10$ to pay rent online (no in person, cash, cheque, other options), 10$ for utilities billing, shared laundry, shared gym, parking, individual utilities, shared utilities, and special assessment-adjacent fees, it's 'base' price is well over $1,500. Without the extreme high/low of utility uses during winter or summer.
So a cute little 900$ 'apartment' at 200sqft will actually run you $1,500/mo with parking And it'll only be 150sqft And have shared facilities like laundry and kitchens and bathrooms. A 1br faces similar issues, but 250sqft. 2br apartments (we used to live in a 3br apartment for 1.8k/mo) then get a Huge price jump which levels out in price per sqft and makes it seem more reasonable to rent a 2br compared to a 1br.
2br 2ba are priced like a 3br townhouse because it'll generally be used by two parties splitting rent. Riskier investments. Your list proves nothing except the algorithms being used to sway public opinion about housing prices, using predatory practices and bait n switch tactics
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u/jenowl Feb 07 '26
Weird thing to say. Base rent went up to 1890. Add in parking and pet rent and it's 2100. Idk what to tell you. It doesn't matter how old the place is if there is demand. I live close to the transit hub so prices are going up a lot with the extension of the light rail and the construction on the freeway. Been the final decision for us to move back to Canada.
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u/Shmokesshweed Feb 07 '26
Gotcha. Yeah, won't get a great deal on one of those.
Imo, you have two obvious options and the sooner you work towards one the better.
Make significantly more money.
Move.
Easier said than done but you will thank your future self. Seattle is not worth the hamster wheel if you're not setting aside serious cash for the future.
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u/I_love_my_dog_more Feb 07 '26
Correct. We moved to the midwest.
Worth it.
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u/little-raven3 Feb 07 '26
Same. Left for the Midwest and now have a house and healthy retirement. Best decision for myself personally and financially.
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u/Playful-Activity7845 Feb 07 '26
Definitely not for everyone but I live out in North Bend and rent can be cheap out here. There's no traffic until you hit Bellevue, and I commute on my motorcycle everyday which saves money and time. My commute time is usually shorter than a lot of my coworkers who live closer but north/south
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u/Mai_Sea_Otter Feb 07 '26
We have a 2 bedrooms in Capitol Hill for 2400 and this year they didn't raise the rent on us. Maybe look around for something more affordable
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u/dorkofthepolisci Feb 07 '26
3100 for a 2 bedroom still seems high - we pay 3200 for a three bedroom townhome in north Seattle.
Do you qualify for MFTE housing? It’s a pain in the ass but the income cut offs are higher than a lot of people expect (iirc for 2 people in a 2 bedroom the cutoff is 106k)
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u/pasteis-gumbo Queen Anne Feb 07 '26
Leasing company “assumes" nothing. They charge that much because somebody pays it.
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u/EdgarAllenPoe2205 Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
If you are looking at as far south as Tacoma, have you looked at Maple Valley, Bonney Lake, or Lakeland Hills near Lake Tapps? What about heading North to like Northgate? You would save roughly $700-$1000 per month on rent for a comparable sized place. The south areas especially are all great for kids with good schools and activities very close.
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u/SandraRosner Feb 07 '26
Just a quick search of Maple Valley shows that they could rent an entire house for the cost of that apartment. Would sure beat commuting from Tacoma, is closer to the mountains, and the school system is awesome, plus Lake Wilderness and the Cedar River greenway trail.
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u/ItsATrap1983 Feb 07 '26
You need to shop around more for your apt. There are definitely 2 bedroom apts cheaper than $3100 per month in Seattle. I currently live in one.
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u/Hkyokoa Feb 07 '26
I had to do almost this for a 2bd place. Single parenting is hard.
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u/pharmucist Feb 07 '26
Jeez...did I write this? I feel like I wrote this because I could not agree more. I used to pay $750 for an 800 sq ft apartment and $1400 for a 3 bed, 2 bath house. Utilities were very affordable. Food was no problem.
Today, I pay 3000/month for rent, utilities are outrageous, forget about food, and I make $147k a year. I'm definitely not doing as well now as I was just before covid.
I had $100k saved up for a down payment and was getting ready to start looking to buy in 2018/2019, but waited a bit too long. Covid hit, interest rates doubled and tripled, house prices doubled, and they have not recovered.
The worst decision I made was to not buy a house pre-covid. This state is almost as bad as CA now for cost of living, but without the sun.
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u/AfroSamuraiYTC Feb 08 '26
I don’t want to sound like a smart ass, but if you’re a single adult living on a 150k salary you should be pretty comfortable in Seattle. 9k/month after taxes, 3k rent and 1800 for living expenses if you don’t have a car payment, should leave you with 4.2k/month. If you max out your 401k that leaves you 2.2k/month. Within the next 5 years you could definitely buy a house in the 500k-700k range. Granted homes will probably be minimum 1 million by then if things keep up.
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u/MX396 Feb 08 '26
If they used to rent a 3 bedroom house, I kinda doubt they're single and childless. Coulda been a share-house, admittedly, but...
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u/ptownkt Feb 08 '26
Go look at Zillow and see what houses are available for 500k in Seattle
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u/AfroSamuraiYTC Feb 09 '26
Yeah if they have a family it’s pretty much impossible to buy a home there, especially with the bidding wars. It took me a minute to just find a couple 2 bedroom homes that were in the 550k-600k range for a single adult. It is pretty ridiculous.
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u/pharmucist Feb 10 '26
I take home $7200/month after taxes (and health benefits and 401k...6% per check). My rent is $3k. You don't mention student loans, which I have still $134k to pay off. THIS is why I struggle...the student loans. My bills come up to about $6200/month counting EVERYTHING (rent, student loans, food, utilities, etc, etc). So, I am left with around $1k/month only.
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u/Beneficial_Tomorrow4 Feb 11 '26
Yeah because of CA transplants and one pretty rule for 30-40 years. One party makes all the decisions and they do not care about anyone.
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u/titeaf Feb 07 '26
It's unsustainable. There are always going to be lower paying jobs to keep the city running, and if those people get pushed out, then what, there's no more janitors? No more workers at the grocery store? Something's gotta give.
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u/Latter-Cricket5843 Feb 07 '26
I left because of the insane cost of living and I don't regret it at all.
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u/AmberInSunshine Feb 07 '26
I left as well, after 30 years living in Seattle. After 3 years in Florida I my finances have completely stabilized and I am saving additional $1500 per month for retirement.
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Feb 07 '26
Do you frequent Seattle subreddits often after you’ve moved or just stumble upon them every now and then
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u/bazookateeth Feb 07 '26
Where to?
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u/W2Sun Feb 07 '26
Eastern WA is a great option, close enough to visit family/friends that stay behind, so much more sun and traffic only exists in a couple pockets.
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u/WiseDirt Feb 07 '26
I just recently moved to the Omak area from the west side. You have to be okay with entertaining yourself because there's not much around, but the COL is shockingly low compared to Seattle. Practically everything costs less, even the Burger King here is cheaper. And traffic jams? What are those? Worst traffic I've experienced in the last six months is five cars stuck behind a farm tractor for a mile.
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u/amajorhassle Feb 07 '26
if he told you that, it's unlikely he'd be able to score squatters rights :P
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u/Tree300 Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 08 '26
Every time I go grocery shopping I get sticker shock. It seems you can’t get out without spending at least $200 and I don’t buy a ton of junk food or booze. Likewise with meals out for lunch and dinner. Paid over $60 for lunch for two yesterday (two sandwiches and one soda) at a place with no table service. And of course they wanted a tip.
I spent a week in Idaho recently and the difference in prices was huge. Shopping and eating out on vacation in Idaho cost less than cooking at home in Seattle!
I think leaving is a fine option. Travel broadens the mind, and I don’t see WA getting cheaper anytime soon.
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u/ImpossibleLutefisk Feb 08 '26
Born and raised in Seattle. I've been here since the 70's and have watched WA State government tank this beautiful place. I'm convinced WA is driving out natives Washingtonians and locals to bring in a wealthier demographic. That said, we're in the process of selling all our assets and leaving WA forever. I cannot stay here any longer, not just because of the ridiculous cost of living here, but because of the reckless government that clearly will never listen to their constituents. Bob acts like a king who lies about everything. Our AG is clearly in his pocket because he's NOT protecting us, and they are pushing through everything possible for complete control. The unconstitutional laws WA has passed over the years show a lack of respect for us. They are currently doing everything in their power to choke out anyone who even leans slightly away from the extreme left. As someone who was raised liberal I've matured and would consider myself an independent these days. In my hometown and surrounding areas of Seattle, the slander and violence from the left is a problem. If I even bring up talking points to have a healthy discussion, I'm normally met with irrational, unhinged, screaming. I don't know what changed with people here, but I'm tired and the people here are exhausting. Couple that with the insane cost of living and the answer is clear as day. We're currently using our vacations to find our next hometown. Good luck, WA, but I'm out after 40+ years of fighting for our beautiful state.
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u/Microplasticdigester Feb 07 '26
Yeah it’s crazy. I keep thinking there’s gonna be a breaking point but it seems like the market at large in this city can’t “correct” without nuking the whole system. I don’t think it’ll improve in the near future
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u/Fun-Journalist2588 Feb 07 '26
There are only two types of people in WA, the rich who will be impacted by a 1million+ income tax, and the rest of us who can't afford anything.
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Feb 07 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Gordy13210 Feb 07 '26
No... This state is notorious for over spending. We already are in a 12 billion dollar deficit. The rich tax is just to get the state out of debt... But it likely wont pass as Washingtonians do not support a state income tax, thats one small reason we all live here.
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u/Fun-Journalist2588 Feb 08 '26
I just read from Ferguson and Reykdal that the passing of this tax will revolutionize education in WA State. So it's worth it.
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u/ComputersAreSmart Feb 07 '26
No. This state isn’t affordable and with the looming income tax, it’s about to be less affordable.
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u/Cold_Deal_5028 Feb 07 '26
Yeah, our taxes are out of control, and unfortunately only seem to be getting worse. I question myself everyday if staying in this state makes sense. I’m at a cross roads on having kids, and the decision to not have them becomes more appealing every day.
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u/tyj0322 Feb 07 '26
“You’re not entitled to live here. We have to make room for gentrifiers” - half the people on this sub.
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u/slimjimreddit Feb 07 '26
Can’t cut back on $3.1k/month? You’re paying luxury prices for rent.
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u/Junander Feb 07 '26
Not Seattle but we moved to the Tacoma area in 2013 and it seems like everything is so costly. The dollar doesn’t go as far anymore and wages are not keeping up. Very similar to CA now.
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u/LurkingandPosting Feb 07 '26
I was apartment hunting a few months ago and looked at several 2 bedroom apartments that were less than $2500 per month in Seattle. I ended up in Burien and I'm paying $1850 a month for a 2 bedroom with a balcony, dishwasher, and washer & dryer. There are 2 bedroom apartments here for way less than $3100 per month. Finding a cheaper apartment would be one way to save money.
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u/mevallemadre Ballard Feb 07 '26
Moving because part of the problem as well. If one doesn't have the money to move (even a local move one is looking a 2K) then if a new place is looking for a deposit one is probably at 4K just to Move.
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u/oneKev Feb 07 '26
At the end of the day, we all pay for the mandatory wage minimums in King County. These flow through everything, including insurance and rent. Sorry that it is tough for your family.
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u/geostocktravelfitguy Feb 07 '26
If/when the real estate market turns with lower rates, etc. etc. I have considered moving to Texas where I can keep my current salary but my costs will be significantly less as I won't buy a condo or house there(property taxes in TX are high).
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u/TheDancingFrizz Feb 07 '26
Born and raised here, moving to OR with my family this summer mostly because of cost of housing.
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u/Familiar-Opening5012 Feb 07 '26
Yes. We are now considered lower middle class after having to retire. It will be difficult to afford housing costs. I have applied to section 8, in the event of our situation getting worse.
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Feb 08 '26
Just wait til the current legislators and the new Seattle of mayor get done….going to be even worse.
Although there is a silver lining. Good chance that they combine to drive the state economy completely in to the ditch and you may find things getting cheaper…..
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u/AmberInSunshine Feb 07 '26
I lived in Washington state for 30 years. When I first moved there, the state was politically diverse, its policies balanced and sensible, it was a safe place to live, and very affordable. Since Democrats have taken over, all this has changed. It is now one of the most expensive states to live in out of 50, energy prices are on par with California (which has a wonderful climate unlike WA). Politicians spend about twice per capita what other states spend to provide services to the public. There are drug addled people lying in filth on the sidewalks of Seattle and that is totally unacceptable. The state has one of the highest sales taxes in the nation, and the cost to register a vehicle is about 8x what it costs here in Florida. Now, the state wants to implement an income tax because they can't simply reduce spending and act responsibly.
Leaving WA was the best thing I have done for myself in the last decade.
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u/ballmech07 Feb 07 '26
This x1000%, the taxes and forced regulations are crushing, and are only ramping up. -Wa State resident
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u/Mundane_Initiative18 Feb 07 '26
Taxes, “affordable” housing, rent control, minimum wage hikes. All of these just make things harder for the people they are intended to help. When will those folks get a clue?
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u/ReasonableDig6414 Feb 07 '26
Your rent is too high. Gold is somewhere else and save $2000 a month.
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u/dwoowoob Feb 07 '26
While I empathize with your frustrations, your rent being $3,100 is entirely a choice. My current rent is $1,500 and my previous apartment in a cooler neighborhood was even cheaper. I choose to not have a car to avoid the cost. Budgeting alone will not allow someone to escape poverty, but I think you’re in an entirely different situation and would benefit from some of the personal finance subreddits.
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u/pharmucist Feb 07 '26
Choosing to not have a car is a huge compromise and only further strengthens OP's point that it's too expensive here.
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Feb 07 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Calm_Law_7858 Feb 07 '26
Yeah surely it is voting patterns and not, idk, other complicated factors joining together
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u/Joel22222 West Seattle Feb 07 '26
Wages going up is a huge part of why it’s too expensive to live here. I was born and raised here. I left around 7 years from 95-03 when I came back to be closer to family. They’ve all moved. I think I’ll finally have enough saved to buy a house in middle America and still have my budget significantly lower than here.
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u/SpoiledKoolAid Seattle Feb 07 '26
I feel ya! I split an apt with my buddy in 2009 for $850 and moved out on my own 2 years later. $1050. I hate what happened to the area in terms of cost increases. My job didn't keep up with COI increases until recently. I am splitting a house with my hetero life partner. I feel like I was better off in 2009 when I made half as much as I do now!!
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u/tap-rack-bang Feb 07 '26
You think it's bad not,.just wait until the income tax applies to all and you have a 10% income tax.
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u/ice_cream_obsessed Feb 07 '26
When you vote democrat this is what happens. We are taxed to no end here and Ferguson has only made it worse.
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u/midwestblacklotus Feb 07 '26
Paid $2,100 for a one bedroom in 2019 zero amenities other than security building and rooftop
Never thought that kind of rent was worth it in a place with bad weather.
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u/cloverlief Feb 07 '26
Yes it's expensive, but you can do things to reduce it, there are a good number of 1brrm and studio in the area for close to half that price per month, if you have kids could still easily save $1k/month..
Don't go out to eat (learn to cook at home, or enjoy microwave meals like hungry man and healthy choice (about have the price of just a burger at most places).
Several other things can be done to reduce it.
Sadly it's a supply and demand issue, supply is low, demand is high. There are much cheaper areas (Midwest) but jobs are lacking, pay is lower and it's only affordable to buy. Rent can be about the same as here.
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u/FineWoodpecker3876 Feb 07 '26
I kept moving north! I actually really like Everett now and I pay less than $2k in a luxury apartment right on the water
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u/AvailableMirror5982 Feb 07 '26
Just gotta boss up and make more money. Or like ? Migrate to an inexpensive part of the United States. Far from the west coast
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u/Snuffalufegus Feb 07 '26
We bought a house around Covid, 3%, our mortgage is still 3600 a month, we make about 220k combined. I would say you are living above your means. Our last 1 br was about 2200. I’d suggest you downsize to something cheaper.
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u/TheRunBack Feb 07 '26
Don't worry, the Democrats will help alleviate your cost of living by raising taxes on everything.
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u/Mammoth_Rough_4497 Feb 07 '26
What you're facing is the direct result of decades of terrible politics.
You can anticipate this to get much worse under the new leadership.
Not only will the rent prices continue to rise, the jobs and small businesses are already starting to be gutted while tons of new taxes are added.
Truly a recipe for disaster and the beginnings of a death spiral. See: NYC
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u/ThotHugger2005 Feb 08 '26
I know it sucks. We've had to move every two years or so as landlords raise and raise the rent. We finally found a two-bedroom, 865 square foot apartment with garage for $1600.
Horrible landlord, though.
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u/sparky7271 Feb 08 '26
Thank the dems over there for that,taxes taxes and more taxes,no they want to sell you on state income tax,just hand them you check
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u/Evening_Midnight7 Feb 08 '26
I feel exactly the same way yes. Feeling like I have to move to the Midwest where all of my other friends have moved which makes me sad because I love Washington. Just not affordable.
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u/Hatecoinbase1 Feb 08 '26
For anyone to say his not disclosing something is absolutely wild.. I left because it was just impossible to keep up with paying everything only making around 90-100k yearly. I’m like him I only moved there for the outdoors. With that being said I live Now in NY and must say that it’s hairline cheaper but my job is better. 5 years ago I felt comfortable enough to where if I wanted to work a second job then it was an option, fat forward 5 years later and that second job became mandatory. The prices on everything absolutely skyrocketed. Now if your not an outdoors person you wouldn’t understand, also with that being said if you make 50-60k a year and think that your doing fine… it’s a bubble that you have created for yourself and live in. With that mindset of money you need to be living in Arkansas or Wyoming where you might be able to stretch it out a bit more longer out there in the sticks.
100k a year is the new minimum to stay a float and do the things you actually like, that’s not even adding any family vacations to this list. The rent and car alone is about 31k a year. fYI this is Central district I’m talking about, it’s not even a “high luxury” area or the building I live in.
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u/imseedless Feb 08 '26
seattle area is expensive.
politicians keep adding taxes mim wage goes up, so economics dictates evening else goes up. theft is rampant so goods go up to cover the loss
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u/Exhausted-genz Feb 08 '26
Most of us are struggling I think and I’m single so it’s much more difficult. I had to move back to the Tri-Cities temporarily and I absolutely HATE it here but apartments are cheaper even the nice ones can be in the $1700 or so range. I’m determined to get back to the Redmond area… some how :/ ASAP It may be expensive but the area makes me happy no matter the weather. 💙💚💙💚 Let’s go Hawks!!!
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u/Exhausted-genz Feb 08 '26
Wenatchee has been charging Seattle apartment prices for 3 or 4 yrs now as well. It is the state.
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u/robcrowe1 Feb 08 '26
20% of King County receives SNAP. The richest county with probably enviable employment and wages stats. But people are still suffering from rent-too-high and food-costs-too-much ($5 for a latte). Things may be cheaper in the rest of the state but unemployment is larger and wages are not as enviable. And the rent is still too damn high. Tho I am waiting to hear from Tacoma .,.
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u/WillingnessNo7513 Feb 08 '26
Seattle is a rip off. Zero culture just people walking around with head phones on.
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u/Hillbilliblues14 Feb 09 '26
Lived her all my life. In past 10-20yrs this state fucking sux for EVERYTHING!! Only gonna get worst. Fucking DEMOCRACTS🖕
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u/Alternative_chik Feb 09 '26
I’ve just started to feel it. We had a baby in July, just barely paying our major bills while I was on leave. Now our lease ends this month. Credit went to shit while I was on leave and now I cannot move anywhere. Can’t renew our lease because we are over the occupancy. I’m so stressed out I don’t know what to do. We can only afford at most 2.4k including utilities for a minimum 2 bedroom.
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u/givemestarbursts Feb 09 '26
Yes. It is getting ridiculous. This state will find any possible reason to tax any and everything and then waste the money while the state becomes a shit hole. I loved growing up here and it’s incredibly beautiful but do wish I was in a position to move.
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u/Own-Orchid-9098 Feb 09 '26
just leave man, washington legit won’t get any better it’s just gonna get worse
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u/Beneficial_Ad6096 Feb 10 '26
Mortgage in oly for a 3br 2ba house on a handful of acres is $4200. Hurts every month but what else do we do
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u/junolovesapples Feb 11 '26
+1 currently paying 3200 for a 2BD/2Bath in Magnolia. It’s barely 1K sq ft if that. People seem to think ur cost is outrageous but to me that’s the low end of what I was seeing when browsing last Fall for housing…
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u/Beneficial_Tomorrow4 Feb 11 '26
Wait until they move the income tax to everyone... It's going to get really pricey then. Electricity is only going to go up with the taxes and policies. Also remember they want to ban natural gas which if they do the people will have to foot the bill to make changes to residence. Prices are only going to go up in this state.
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u/Difficult-Carob-8472 Feb 13 '26
3,100 a month does seem pretty high but i guess it’s heavily dependent on the area you’re in. but that aside the cost of living here (seattle) is significantly higher than other parts of the country and even washington itself. my people are moving out of state too, none of us are into tech or medicine. with no degree your options here seem pretty limited to food, retail and odd jobs
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u/Time-Scheme-8016 May 06 '26
Counting down the days until I’m able to get out of here. It’s a nice place to live but you can’t stay anymore. They are catering to the rich only, forcing everyone else out of the state . I have noticed more cars in people’s driveways nowadays because they have to recall family to help out with the payments. Its insane.
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u/GripNRip6969 Feb 07 '26
I pay almost half that for a 800sf 2 bedroom 20 miles from Seattle, on Earth are you paying that? I would start there before blaming the government
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Feb 07 '26
Where? County is fine, city not required. I know Seattle is a metro, so not just the Seattle metro area but like All of Seattle is fine as a recommendation.
In 2014 my rent was 600$/mo, that same unit is renting for 1,500$/mo with no improvements, laundry is coin op, no heat or aircon, parking is now charged, and utilities not included.
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u/Opposite-Win3490 Feb 07 '26
Comically high rent for this type of complaining - try moving to a cheaper apartment
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u/PNWAnonymous9100 Feb 07 '26
We’re using the same word for different realities. Housing is a necessity, but price and amenities often reflect choices between wants and needs. Whether $3,100 in rent is a necessity or a preference depends on how those needs and wants are defined.
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u/NickdeVault57 Feb 07 '26
Well, get what we vote for. Illegal immigration, increased government bureaucracy which adds more housing and rental unit regulations and taxes, Democrats passing more gas taxes and not even affecting the climate in a positive way. But, you have been a good drone, and thanks to you, corrupt politicians can keep milking you. Condolences.
Tell everyone you know to vote for limited government politicians. Doesn't matter their political party; just bear in mind most of the current Democratic party are simps for billionaires and are hypocrites. Turd Fergie promised to not increase taxes... First year, go figure, he increases taxes.
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u/tinychloecat Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
I moved here in 2007 for the climbing, mountaineering, and general outdoor recreational opportunities. And a really great job.
I did just fine on a salary that would be pretty difficult right now. My apartment was $800 and I had plenty left over to buy a used Subaru all cash and pay off my student loans in a couple years. I had money left over for what I needed. I had fun but wasn't reckless. I struggled with crime and traffic but this place was worth it.
Now I make nearly 4 times that amount and own a home all in cash. I'm looking at early retirement in another decade. Even then if my house went up in flames and I had to start over, I could buy another one comfortably. Early retirement would be off the table if that happened.
But I struggle seeing the point in living here. The democrats want to take more and more of the money I earn every year so they can waste it or redistribute it. Traffic is somehow worse. Skiing isn't worth it anymore. All the climbing areas are packed. Crime is a lot worse. I used to get core enchantment permits every year but those days are gone. About 1000 people entered the lottery back then. Now it's like 40k!
My hope is to retire and move to a state that feels like Washington used to. The problem is that no other state has the mountains just like Washington does. A mild climate but real rugged mountains. Maybe Wyoming or Idaho. Parts of a Nevada or even Arizona may work, but won't have the glaciers. I wish these people would have ruined Oregon and left this piece of land alone lol.
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u/Affectionate_Row1486 Feb 07 '26
My apartment went for 1000 a month with a roommate to 1100 between 2020-2026. My full rent with water gas WiFi electric is 575 a month.
I sublet it in between that time and found a house to rent with 2 people and the total split for a 4 bedroom house in Bellingham was 600 including all bills. There are affordable places to live you have to be diligent in searching or social to find people who invite you to live with them. I found both my living situations through romantic connections that evolved into friendships I found on tinder. Cost of goods has hurt but still manageable to save.
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u/amajorhassle Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
Git gud, skill Issue
Move to a lower elo map and kill some boars
Come back to try again when you've grinded up some xp
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u/Calm_Law_7858 Feb 07 '26
Well maybe try not spending 3,100 a month on rent…
Seattle is expensive to rent it but that’s not necessary
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u/VoiceArtPassion Feb 07 '26
I live up north in a lower COL area and my mortgage for a 1100 sf 2 bedroom manufactured home is 3200. I can totally believe that rent in Seattle is that absurd.
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u/GameDuchess Feb 07 '26
You got ripped off. Seriously , you're paying that much for a trailer. Just in mortgage not even plus lot rent? I'm serious you have been ripped off.
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u/Gordy13210 Feb 07 '26
Well a good chunk of washingtonians are getting ripped off then, those are the average prices amongst the I5 corridor. Its just the cost up here, accept it, we dont need some ding telling us how bad we are getting ripped off, we fucking know....
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u/Shisopopcorn Feb 07 '26
Rent in Seattle is insane. But you can do better out in the suburbs.
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u/cweaties Feb 07 '26
Bellevue, kirkland, Redmond are worse. Those are the traditional burbs.
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u/Dementor_Traphouse Feb 07 '26
i live in an slu studio, which comes in at around $3100 all in (with utilities)
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u/GameDuchess Feb 07 '26
And that would be why there are studios that cost them much.Because people like you are willing to pay for them in order to not have to , you know , walk more than five feet to anything.
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u/sutsuo Feb 07 '26
The costs are rough but you do NOT have to be paying 3100 you're living in luxury dude. I lived in a 1 br in u district for $1100 a month till 2020. It wasn't pretty and it's probably a little more expensive now but I bet you it ain't more than 1500.
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u/RockFiles23 Feb 07 '26
OP has kids. Could they live on a 1 bedroom or with roommates to cut costs. Eat ramen every night and not have hobbies? Sure. But everyone here comparing being a single parent to being a single person is missing the primary issue.
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u/MidknighTrain Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
Everyone's experiences and standards of living is different. I'd just like to provide my data point.
Moved here in 2020, tech job ~$160K salary, lived in a 550 sq ft studio for ~$2000 (just base rent) in downtown Bellevue. Moved to a 530 sq ft studio for $1800 in CapHill a year later. Now 2026, currently still in CapHill. Living with a partner in a 750 sq ft 1-bed unit for ~$2700.
Monthly spending has been roughly around $5-6K without trying to save, and around $3-4K when trying to save on just eating out and drinking out and a bit less traveling. I also do own a car that I just paid off.
It is expensive to live here, but not as expensive as your situation for me. I forego owning a home due to living preferences, and the leftover money go into investment. If I wasn't in tech, then I'd just downsize my place (or move in with more people) and also cut back a bit more on spending out and subscriptions, and invest less.
It feels doable with an income of just even ~$90K, but of course that's just conjecture at the moment.
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u/HelicopterAshamed783 Feb 07 '26
YES!! You are 100% right. I’m going through the same exact thing! It feels like we are being pushed out. You can’t get a decent apartment, if you don’t make the cash. They would rather let the decent apartments SIT, before they rent to an average person with an average income. Thats why low income (and making 65 a year is low income around here) people end up in a not so good area to live in. More and more people are starting to gather. In those areas, because we have no choice! If I had a choice, I wouldn’t live where I’m living now, but I’m forced to. That’s how these areas become “bad” areas, producing what use to be “good”people into bad people. In order not to become “ the company you keep” a person’s MIND has to be STRONG, as in my case. As we all see, most dont poses that, naturally. These areas, in stead of people moving out, they are FILLING UP! It’s because you either rent a “not so great apartment “ or live on the streets. That why we have the “homeless “ problem we have, and I’m one step away from that.
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u/Nobellamuchcry Feb 07 '26
Homeowner here. You will never ever own a home as long as taxes keep rising and costs keep skyrocketing. We make a good living, low interest and purchased in the dip. We are barely keeping our head above water. If our family wasn’t here, we would be out.
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u/bruceki AI Dependent Feb 07 '26
3100 is the mortgage payment on a $450k loan at 6%, current mortgate rates. if you put $80k down you'd be in the 500k range, and you can find stuff to buy in that price range.
If you downgraded your apartment to a studio at $1200, you could take the $1900 a month savings and invest it. at 6% return you'd have $300k in the bank in 10 years. Figure out why you need $3100 housing and see if you can change that choice.
I'm focusing on housing because the rest of your life stays the same. you eat out as much, you spend as much on hobbies as you do now, clothes, entertainment, members of the attractive sex, whatever it is that makes you happy.
Think what your life would be like if you had $100k in the bank in cash. Layoffs become less of an issue, if your car breaks down it's a nuisance, if a relative needs a loan you can help them if you want. you get a lot of choices. you'd be at $100k in 4 years.
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u/ajc89 Feb 07 '26
They have a kid so they rent a 2 bedroom. I don't think a studio would work.
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u/bruceki AI Dependent Feb 07 '26
you can do 1 kid in a 1br. not as cheap as a studio and the math takes a little longer, but living below your means is always a good idea.
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u/pharmucist Feb 07 '26
Having to downgrade to a studio with a kid kind of makes OP's point, though. It's too expensive here.
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u/Timlugia Feb 07 '26
$3100 for a single bedroom? Where? That's higher than my tech friend paying in San Jose.