Seattle WA vs Tallahassee FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 199,696 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 8.0% | Seattle + |
| White | 61.8% | 50.7% | Seattle + |
| Black | 6.6% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 4.0% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
Tallahassee
51.0%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $55,931 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $35,704 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 23.2% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 51.0% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 39.5% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Tallahassee
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 34.1% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.6% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 20.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 13.2% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 12.2% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | 67.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | 58.1 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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