Moving from St. Louis to Seattle?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your St. Louis lifestyle in Seattle, you'd need to earn:
$87,629/year
▲ $12,629 more than you make now
| Category | St. Louis | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $87,629 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$10,892 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$5,433 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,271 |
| State Tax | -$3,349 | -$0 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,799 | $70,033 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is +16.8% in Seattle
- Housing is +91.5% in Seattle
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd save $3,349/year in taxes in Seattle
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~1,720 miles
DIY Truck
$4,000
Container
$6,500
Full-Service
$9,000
Salary Equivalents: St. Louis to Seattle
| Your St. Louis Salary | Seattle Equivalent | Difference | Seattle Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $46,736 | +$6,736 | $39,591 |
| $50,000 | $58,420 | +$8,420 | $48,979 |
| $60,000 | $70,103 | +$10,103 | $57,703 |
| $75,000 | $87,629 | +$12,629 | $70,033 |
| $100,000 | $116,839 | +$16,839 | $90,582 |
| $150,000 | $175,259 | +$25,259 | $130,543 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How St. Louis and Seattle Compare
Housing (92% more expensive in Seattle)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Seattle rents for $1,937/month compared to $990/month in St. Louis. Median home prices: $728,000 in Seattle vs $235,000 in St. Louis.
Taxes
Missouri has a progressive state income tax from 0.0% to 4.7%. Washington has no state income tax. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Seattle would save you about $3,349/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Seattle's overall cost of living is 16.8% higher than St. Louis, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).St. Louis: 95.1, Seattle: 111.1.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your St. Louis to Seattle move. Average cost: $4,000–$9,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Seattle
Average 1BR rent in Seattle: $1,937/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
Compare Savings Rates →