Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Seattle, WA
About 8,813 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 5,585 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Seattle, WA.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 21.6% of income in Los Angeles, CA and 18.4% in Seattle, WA.
Los Angeles, CA Seattle, WA (monthly)
| Monthly | Los Angeles, CA | Seattle, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,258 | $1,075 | −$184 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $189 | $0 | −$189 |
| State Disability Insurance (SDI)2026 tax law | $76 | $0 | −$76 |
| Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) – employee share2026 tax law | $0 | $47 | +$47 |
| WA Cares Fund (long-term care) – employee2026 tax law | $0 | $34 | +$34 |
| Take-home pay | $4,575 | $4,759 | +$184 |
| Housing | $2,402 | $2,180 | −$222 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,402 | $2,180 | −$222 |
| Food | $470 | $458 | −$12 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 104.0 | $470 | $458 | −$12 |
| Transportation | $249 | $217 | −$32 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $5.42/gal (WA weekly average) | $249 | $217 | −$32 |
| Sales tax | $39 | $34 | −$5 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $39 | $34 | −$5 |
| Other goods & services | $1,055 | $1,054 | −$1 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 104.0 | $533 | $520 | −$13 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 106.8 | $522 | $534 | +$12 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $361 | $816 | +$455 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 15.5% of income in Los Angeles, CA and 13.7% in Seattle, WA.
Los Angeles, CA Seattle, WA (monthly)
| Monthly | Los Angeles, CA | Seattle, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,545 | $1,374 | −$172 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $180 | $0 | −$180 |
| State Disability Insurance (SDI)2026 tax law | $130 | $0 | −$130 |
| Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) – employee share2026 tax law | $0 | $81 | +$81 |
| WA Cares Fund (long-term care) – employee2026 tax law | $0 | $58 | +$58 |
| Take-home pay | $8,455 | $8,626 | +$172 |
| Housing | $2,964 | $2,549 | −$415 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,964 | $2,549 | −$415 |
| Childcare | $2,244 | $3,594 | +$1,351 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $390/wk, school-age $289/wk (2022 prices, King County, WA); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $2,244 | $3,594 | +$1,351 |
| Food | $1,368 | $1,334 | −$34 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 104.0 | $1,368 | $1,334 | −$34 |
| Transportation | $498 | $434 | −$64 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $5.42/gal (WA weekly average) | $498 | $434 | −$64 |
| Sales tax | $39 | $34 | −$5 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $39 | $34 | −$5 |
| Other goods & services | $1,055 | $1,054 | −$1 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 104.0 | $533 | $520 | −$13 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 106.8 | $522 | $534 | +$12 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $288 | −$372 | −$660 |
Los Angeles, CA vs Seattle, WA at a glance
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 113.6 | 111.1 |
| Housing price level | 170.4 | 151.3 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,402 | $2,180 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,964 | $2,549 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $3,760 | $3,324 |
| Median home value | $871,300 | $717,500 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.67% | 0.85% |
| Median household income | $95,958 | $115,177 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $257 | $478 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | No |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 7.25% | 6.5% |
| Regular gasoline | $6.23 | $5.42 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $155 | $124 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Seattle, WA to keep my Los Angeles, CA lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Los Angeles, CA, about $62,639 in Seattle, WA (−10.5%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $130,031. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Seattle, WA cheaper than Los Angeles, CA?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Seattle, WA is at 111.1 and Los Angeles, CA at 113.6 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$455 a month in Seattle, WA.
How many people move from Los Angeles, CA to Seattle, WA?+
About 8,813 people a year (±1,110), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 5,585 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.