Is University District Expensive?

Seattle, United States

-12% vs Seattle avg

Living in University District, Seattle

University District is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Seattle, with a cost of living index of 70.0 — that is -12% compared to the Seattle average. Ranked #20 of 24, it offers some of the lowest costs in the city. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $1,936/month, compared to a range of $1,716 in Rainier Valley to $2,750 in Mercer Island.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of University District, housing takes up roughly 40% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $77,440 before tax.

Typical Salaries in University District

Salaries in University District reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 70.0:

After tax and deductions of 20.2% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $77,440 would be roughly $61,797/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

70.0
COLI Index
0.88x
vs City Avg
$1,936
Est. 1BR Rent
#20
of 24 Areas
20.2%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in University District

Estimated annual deductions on a $52,500 salary in University District, Seattle (local employee).

Income Tax
13%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
Total Deductions: 20.2%
Est. Take-Home: $41,881/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in University District would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $52,500
London GBP £45,181
Dubai AED AED 262,699

Other Neighborhoods in Seattle

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Mercer Island 99.4 1.25x +25%
Downtown 93.8 1.18x +18%
Bellevue 91.4 1.15x +15%
South Lake Union 91.4 1.15x +15%
Capitol Hill 89.0 1.12x +12%

View all 24 neighborhoods in Seattle →

Convert Your Salary

See exactly what you need to earn in University District, Seattle to maintain your lifestyle.

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to University District:

Walthamstow, London Allston/Brighton, Boston Medford, Boston Jurong East, Singapore Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia Conshohocken, Philadelphia

Frequently Asked Questions

Is University District expensive in Seattle?

University District is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Seattle. It costs about -12% less than the city average, ranking #20 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does University District compare to the Seattle average?

The cost of living in University District is below the Seattle average. With a multiplier of 0.88x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -12% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.