AZ to Seattle - Cost of Living (ignoring housing) (Shoreline: sales, calculator)

[bigcheese11]

Has anyone moved from AZ to Seattle lately? I'm considering a move, but trying to figure out what kind of salary I should be asking for. It's pretty easy to figure out the difference in housing expenses, but how do other expenses compare? I've done some online COL calculators, but they're all over the board (one even said that it's cheaper to live in Seattle...that was a good laugh!). I'm assuming it'll be about 5-10% higher....does that seem right?

[homesinseattle]

This site looks interesting: https://www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-l...tle-vs-phoenix

[Hemlock140]

My next door neighbors came from Arizona, and they claim it balances out with some things higher and some lower. Some of the biggest increases besides housing will be winter heating, sewer and stormwater utility charges, and if you buy, property tax. Their biggest adjustment was all of the big trees (we are on the eastside) which scared them, in fact they had some taken out from fear of them falling on their house. We're glad, because we now get sun in that part of the yard (at least in July and August). If you live in the City of Seattle, there are additional taxes and more coming soon, with a property tax levy proposed tax to help the homeless, and a new sales tax on sugary drinks.

[thatguy950]

Not sure about AZ specifically, but I've found just things like consumer goods and restaurant prices to be a fair bit higher in Seattle than down in the LA/SD area, pretty close to Hawaii in fact if you shop at Costco and avoid Waikiki (much higher taxes in Seattle account for a lot of it). Restaurant prices in Seattle are still higher than in Honolulu, which mskes no sense when you think about it... So expect to pay more for just about everything.

I'm sure you've visited SoCal being in the SW, add maybe 5-10% to that and you'll have a better idea as a measuring stick to what you'll see up in Seattle

[annonymous0381]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

My next door neighbors came from Arizona, and they claim it balances out with some things higher and some lower. Some of the biggest increases besides housing will be winter heating, sewer and stormwater utility charges, and if you buy, property tax. Their biggest adjustment was all of the big trees (we are on the eastside) which scared them, in fact they had some taken out from fear of them falling on their house. We're glad, because we now get sun in that part of the yard (at least in July and August). If you live in the City of Seattle, there are additional taxes and more coming soon, with a property tax levy proposed tax to help the homeless, and a new sales tax on sugary drinks.

Where did you hear about the city of seattle proposing a tax on sugury drinks??

[American Expat]

According to my fave COL site, restaurant prices in Seattle or 10% higher and groceries are 50% higher. As noted, the biggest difference will be housing. I think a 50% increase should cover the difference.

[thatguy950]

Originally Posted by annonymous0381

Where did you hear about the city of seattle proposing a tax on sugury drinks??

Seattle’s Mayor Murray proposes sugary-drink tax to pay for helping students of color | Q13 FOX News

[bigcheese11]

I'm surprised at how expensive the food/restaurant prices are. At least WA doesn't have an income tax (yet).

[homesinseattle]

Big cheese, If you want to save money on food eaten out, eat at little ethnic restaurants. They are often in nondescript strip malls on the outskirts of town (Northgate, Shoreline, White Center). The food is delicious and prices very reasonable. If you ever need any tips, I know some great ones.

[KonaldDuth]

If you have a car, you also need to consider the cost of parking. It'll be $1000-$3000/yr.