Seattle, WA, and North Coast, CA, rank among the iconic locations in the United States. Both filled with unique qualities, they attract potential residents and tourists alike. They present distinct contrasts and similarities in their crime rates and public safety, weather patterns, living costs, education standards, economies, infrastructures, primary industries and occupations, notable employers, real estate markets, neighborhoods, transit systems, sales, income and property taxes, cultural and culinary scenes, sports teams, geographical features, and the quality of health care.
Crime rates in Seattle are higher than the national average; however, this is typical for larger cities. Neighborhood safety varies across the city, with Downtown, Belltown, and the University District experiencing higher rates. North Coast, CA, presents a lower crime rate, mainly due to its sparse population and rural nature. Even though the area is generally safe, visitors should adhere to guidelines about wildlife for their safety.
Cost of Living
Seattle's cost of living is quite high, particularly due to housing prices. While groceries, health care, and utilities are affordable, the significant cost of housing drives up the overall living cost. North Coast, by comparison, has a lower cost of living, except in some affluent seaside towns.
Income Tax
While Washington State does not levy income tax, making Seattle attractive from a tax perspective, California does have a state income tax, which further escalates based on income levels.
Property Tax
Both Seattle and North Coast manifest moderate property tax rates in line with their respective state averages. Property taxes depend on the assessed value of properties and local tax levies.
Sales Tax
Seattle has a relatively high sales tax rate of 10.1%. Comparatively, sales tax in the North Coast region varies by county but generally hovers around 7.25%.
Income
Type
Seattle
North Coast
Estimated median household income
$110,781
$102,807
Estimated per capita income
$74,733
$50,809
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
118.5
96.1
If you make $50,000 in North Coast, you will have to make $61,655 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Seattle offers a scenic beauty with Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and surrounding mountains. North Coast is renowned for its breathtaking coastal views, redwood forests, and rugged landscape.
Geographical information
Type
Seattle
North Coast
Land area
83.9 sq. miles
59.4 sq. miles
Population density
8,750.4 people per sq. mile
6,335.5 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Seattle, WA North Coast, CA
Education
Seattle boasts numerous highly-rated public, charter, and private schools. The city is also home to renowned higher education institutions, including the University of Washington. North Coast, not being densely populated, has fewer options in terms of schools, but offers quality education through community colleges and smaller universities.
Seattle has a strong and diverse economy, with significant sectors being technology, aerospace, clean energy, and health care. In contrast, the economy of North Coast is largely based on tourism, agriculture, wine production, and fishing.
Biggest Employers
Major employers in Seattle include Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing. In contrast, major employers in North Coast are primarily in the tourism and agricultural sectors, such as The Wine Group and various fishing companies.
In Seattle (King County), 69.0% voted for Democrats and 28.5% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In North Coast (Orange County), 45.8% voted for Democrats and 52.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Seattle
North Coast
Seattle
North Coast
Seattle
North Coast
2020
75.1%
53.6%
22.3%
44.6%
2.6%
1.8%
2016
70.0%
50.9%
21.1%
42.4%
8.9%
6.7%
2012
69.0%
45.8%
28.5%
52.0%
2.5%
2.3%
2008
70.2%
47.8%
28.1%
50.3%
1.7%
1.9%
2004
65.1%
39.3%
33.8%
60.2%
1.1%
0.5%
2000
60.3%
40.4%
34.5%
55.9%
5.2%
3.7%
1996
56.4%
37.9%
31.4%
51.7%
12.2%
10.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Seattle
North Coast
Seattle
North Coast
CATHOLIC CHURCH
14.4%
26.5%
4.9%
4.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.3%
0.4%
4.7%
2.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.4%
2.4%
1.4%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.6%
0.2%
2.9%
1.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.6%
0.8%
1.4%
1.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.6%
0.4%
2.3%
1.3%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.5%
0.6%
2.0%
2.0%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.3%
2.3%
3.8%
8.8%
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.0%
0.3%
0.1%
0.2%
Weather
Seattle experiences a temperate marine climate with cool, wet winters and mild, dry summers. Contrarily, North Coast has a Mediterranean climate, but it also receives substantial annual rainfall due to its proximity to the Pacific. Winters in North Coast can be chilly, while summers are typically mild and foggy.
Weather and climate
Type
Seattle
North Coast
Temperature - Average
52.5°F
64.4°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.5%
70.2%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
38%
26.7%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
78.7%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
36.6 in
13 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
21.4 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
11.6%
26.5%
Sunshine amount - Average
49.4%
78.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
44%
21.9%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
84.9%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
20%
62.9%
Wind speed - Average
8.6 mph
6 mph
Average climate in Seattle, Washington
Average climate in North Coast, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Seattle
North Coast
Seattle
North Coast
Seattle
North Coast
Seattle
North Coast
Seattle
North Coast
Seattle
North Coast
Seattle
North Coast
Seattle
North Coast
2018
82
119
0.21
0.35
10.6
14.4
20.7
26.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
27.5
8.3
12.6
0.7
0.7
2017
92
116
0.23
0.34
11.1
13.8
21.0
28.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.7
8.8
13.8
0.3
0.5
2016
67
102
0.22
0.33
11.9
12.2
20.3
29.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.1
6.6
12.5
0.6
0.2
2015
81
106
0.23
0.32
10.8
13.2
19.3
29.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
25.0
8.5
14.5
0.8
0.2
2014
75
110
0.24
0.29
11.5
12.9
19.5
28.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.7
7.4
15.5
N/A
0.4
2013
81
107
0.24
0.34
N/A
13.9
17.4
27.8
N/A
0.003
N/A
29.5
9.1
14.2
0.8
0.3
2012
77
103
0.23
0.30
N/A
12.7
19.5
26.8
N/A
0.004
N/A
28.2
7.7
14.3
1.0
0.1
2011
72
109
0.24
0.31
N/A
14.7
18.6
27.0
N/A
0.006
N/A
27.7
7.5
15.9
1.1
0.7
2010
71
102
0.24
0.33
N/A
14.3
18.0
26.2
N/A
0.011
N/A
23.6
6.7
14.0
1.1
0.6
2009
94
118
0.27
0.35
N/A
15.5
17.7
27.6
N/A
0.009
N/A
24.3
8.0
14.5
1.4
1.1
2008
80
124
0.30
0.39
N/A
16.5
17.8
28.2
N/A
0.010
N/A
29.5
6.5
21.6
1.3
1.1
2007
83
100
0.30
0.36
N/A
16.3
18.2
27.0
N/A
0.012
20.3
N/A
7.9
N/A
1.5
0.8
2006
98
114
N/A
0.40
N/A
17.2
18.3
26.4
N/A
0.007
22.6
N/A
8.7
N/A
N/A
1.3
2005
101
95
0.80
0.39
18.3
17.7
N/A
27.9
N/A
0.012
24.5
N/A
9.5
N/A
3.5
1.3
2004
102
119
0.81
0.50
17.9
19.2
N/A
30.5
N/A
0.014
N/A
N/A
10.3
N/A
3.0
1.6
2003
91
122
0.78
0.64
18.5
21.9
N/A
28.9
N/A
0.030
N/A
N/A
9.9
N/A
2.4
1.1
2002
87
106
0.82
0.65
19.3
22.0
N/A
25.5
N/A
0.018
N/A
N/A
11.7
N/A
2.7
1.8
2001
88
116
0.90
0.73
20.7
22.0
N/A
25.4
0.005
0.033
N/A
N/A
12.3
N/A
3.7
1.5
2000
98
125
1.06
0.80
20.9
24.4
N/A
24.0
N/A
0.027
N/A
N/A
13.3
N/A
3.2
1.9
Natural disasters
Type
Seattle
North Coast
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
5.5%
18.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
1,394.2%
6,843.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
30%
32%
Transportation
Seattle has an extensive public transit system, including buses, light rail, and ferries, making commuting relatively straightforward. With its rural nature, North Coast doesn't offer extensive public transit; driving remains the primary mode of transportation.
Transport
Type
Seattle
North Coast
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
2
3
FAA registered aircraft
1
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
2
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Seattle
North Coast
Bicycle
2.1%
0.7%
Bus
8.9%
1.2%
Carpooled
8.7%
10.7%
Car alone
67.8%
81.4%
Ferryboat
0.7%
0%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.2%
Railroad
1.2%
0%
Streetcar
0.3%
0%
Subway
0.6%
0%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
8%
1.4%
Average travel time to work
Type
Seattle
North Coast
Average
35 min
28.8 min
Real Estate
Real estate prices in Seattle are steep, with the housing market being one of the hottest in the country. North Coast offers more affordable options, especially for single-family homes and vacation properties.
Neighborhoods
Seattle offers an eclectic mix of neighborhoods from the historic Pioneer Square and Ballard to the trendy Capitol Hill. North Coast boasts picturesque seaside towns like Mendocino and Fort Bragg, each exuding its charm.
Houses and residents
Type
Seattle
North Coast
Houses
384,799
137,450
Average household size (people)
2.1
2.7
Houses occupied
351,650 (91.4%)
133,254 (96.9%)
Houses occupied by owners
161,587 (46%)
84,546 (63.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
190,063 (54%)
48,708 (36.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,780
$2,340
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$860,506
$1,099,558
Estimated median house or condo value
$848,100
$883,291
Median number of rooms in apartments
3
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.1
Renting percentage
51.9%
37.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
4,587.9
2,312.7
Household income disparities
42.2%
41.2%
Housing units without a mortgage
2,459 (2.1%)
13,396 (19.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
12,354 (10.5%)
282 (0.4%)
Housing units with a mortgage
115,481 (97.9%)
55,188 (80.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
240 (0.2%)
6,297 (9.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
13,881 (11.8%)
7,643 (11.1%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.2%
1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
24,994
15,532
State government workers
27,235
5,751
Unpaid family workers
947
744
Industries and Occupations
Leading industries in Seattle include software development, aerospace, biotechnology, and internet retail. Conversely, North Coast's dominant industries are agriculture, fishing, and tourism. The majority of occupations in Seattle are in professional, scientific, and technical services, while in North Coast, they are typically in wineries, fishing, and tourism-related businesses.
Seattle is a healthcare hub, with top-ranked hospitals like the University of Washington Medical Center. In contrast, North Coast, being a rural area, lacks large hospitals, but local health clinics and regional health centers provide medical services.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Seattle
North Coast
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Seattle provides excellent infrastructure including high-speed internet, public utilities, and well-kept roads. On the other hand, the infrastructure in North Coast is less developed due to its rural nature.
Infrastructure
Type
Seattle
North Coast
TV stations
17
2
Culture and Food
Seattle boasts a diverse cultural scene, with a plethora of art galleries, music venues, theaters, and culinary delights including its famous seafood. North Coast, replete with wineries and eateries, is a paradise for foodies and wine lovers, offering delectable local produce and world-class wines.
Sports Teams
Seattle has several major sports teams including the Seahawks (NFL), Mariners (MLB), Sounders (MLS), and the Kraken (NHL). North Coast, not having a large metropolis, lacks major professional sports teams.
Seattle, WA
North Coast, CA
Seattle, WA and 
North Coast, CA : 987.3 miles
