City Comparison · 2026
Seattle vs New York City
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Seattle = $128k in New York City
Metric
Seattle
New York City
COL Index
✓1.66
2.13
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,400/mo
$3,500/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$3,100/mo
$4,500/mo
State Income Tax
WA
NY
$100k Take-Home
✓$78,736
$73,522
$100k Effective Rate
✓21.26%
26.48%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$49,936
$31,522
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Seattle WA | New York City NY |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. | $47,420 $3,952/mo · 20.97% eff. |
| $100,000 | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. | $73,522 $6,127/mo · 26.48% eff. |
| $150,000 | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. | $104,939 $8,745/mo · 30.04% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seattle or New York City cheaper to live in?
Seattle has a cost-of-living index of 1.66 while New York City is 2.13 (1.00 = US average). Seattle is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Seattle is $2,400/month vs $3,500/month in New York City.
How much more do you need to earn in New York City vs Seattle?
$100k in Seattle = $128k in New York City. Cost of living in New York City is higher by 28.3%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Seattle or New York City?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $78,736 in WA (Seattle) and $73,522 in NY (New York City). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $49,936 in Seattle vs $31,522 in New York City.
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