Seattle is expensive, and housing, transportation, and utilities cost exorbitant amounts. The rent is astronomical and oftentimes is in excess of $2,000 for an apartment. Having a car is expensive, and while using buses is cheaper, it can still be costly. Groceries and dining out are expensive, but doable with proper planning. Tech and space industries have good-paying jobs, but low-wage workers do poorly. Being financially smart, such as living in cheaper neighborhoods, using buses, and dining in, makes living in Seattle doable. Expensive, but Seattle's job market, culture, and scenery draw in plenty who plan and make do.

The accent that is spoken in Seattle is a characteristic of the larger Pacific Northwest dialect, which encompasses the states of Washington, Oregon, and parts of British Columbia. The fact that it does not contain any strong regional accents, such as those from the East or the South, gives it a neutral sound. Two distinguishing features are the "catch-cot" merger, in which both words have the same sound, and "bag" is pronounced "beg." Migration and technological advancements ensure that speech is constantly in motion. Subtle, but nonetheless, Seattle speech is characteristic of mixed heritage, constantly evolving culture, and global connections, and therefore is in perpetual movement.

Seattle is well-known for various reasons, but none stands out more than the Space Needle. Built for the 1962 World's Fair, today, it is recognized worldwide as an iconic symbol of the city. The tower gives visitors views of the city's skyline, Mount Rainier, and Elliott Bay. Aside from the Space Needle, visitors of Seattle may also view the iconic fish-throwing vendors in Pike Place Market. The city's coffee culture, music scene, and tech industry also make it a favorite to visit for visitors and city folks alike.

English is the most commonly spoken language in Washington and the language used in government, business, and education. But the state has a large and diverse population, meaning many of its residents speak Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Russian and many other languages. Indigenous languages are culturally significant, and efforts to preserve them are still active today. This range of languages factors into Washington’s economy, education system, and community services, so multilingual communication is one way of life here.

Seattle has a unique identity, and therefore its residents have a unique name. The most common term is Seattleite, which follows the established societal pattern of naming people after the name of the city. It’s the most popular but there are also “Emerald City Resident” and “Seattle Local” used for wider situations. Some of the historical nicknames have fallen by the wayside over time, but the identity of the people of Seattle is still ingrained in the city’s culture, industries and way of life.

Technology, aerospace, healthcare, maritime and manufacturing, and construction rank top five highest income sectors in Seattle. Leading with great pay for software engineers and artificial intelligence developers is the technology industry. With Boeing and growing space-related employment, aerospace is still strong. Top hospitals and research facilities help healthcare workers to earn fairly. In shipping, logistics, and industrial work, marine and manufacturing offer rich opportunities. As Seattle expands with new infrastructure and buildings, construction employment pay nicely. Driving the city's economy, these sectors provide steady, well-paying jobs for qualified experts.

Rats in Washington State carry diseases infecting humans and animals. Hantavirus, salmonella, and leptospirosis are few of them. These may pass through their excrements, their urine, or food and water. In urban regions, where there is larger population of rats, there is larger chances of contacting them. Closing food, keeping trash free, and preventing holes in walls is enough to keep them away. If there is any evidence of rats in and around your building, take necessary precautions in advance before their population is on the rise.

Seattle's evolved public transportation system consists of Link Light Rail, buses, ferries, monorail, and streetcars. King County Metro buses cover most of the county, but the Link Light Rail connects major sites including Capitol Hill, the airport, and downtown. People travel across Puget Sound on ferries; the monorail provides a quick route to Seattle Center. Streetcars cover specific areas; the ORCA card system streamlines fare payments. Since many of Seattle's citizens use public transportation to avoid traffic and support environmentally friendly commuting, Seattle is a city where getting about without a car is both practical and quick.

Seattle has two airports, and both serve different functions. The main airport to go to for commercial flights is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), which takes travelers to destinations nationwide and internationally. Boeing Field officially King County International Airport is a private jet, cargo and aviation-services airport. Although most passengers will fly through Sea-Tac, Boeing Field has an important aviation role for business and cargo operations. Understanding the role of the airports will allow travelers to make the best plan when flying to or from Seattle.

Seattle is middle-sized city, where urban and natural landscape mix. Its population is 750,000, and while smaller than such cities as New York or Los Angeles, its downtown and expanding neighborhoods are dense. Towering buildings interrupt the city's skyline, while surrounding parks and waterways offer green space. The economy, driven by space, technology, and commerce, draws diverse employees. While expanding, public transportation and walkable neighborhoods still keep it accessible.

Seattle has many nicknames that celebrate its natural beauty, industry and culture. And Jet City, a nod to the area’s aerospace history. Rainy City is one of them, and that name refers to its famous weather; Earthly Paradise is another title, one that celebrates its caffeinated culture. These names, favored by locals and visitors alike, embody the heart and soul of Seattle and what makes it unique.

With an average elevation of 119 inches, Forks, Washington is the state with the highest annual precipitation. Its proximity to the Hoh Rain Forest, as well as the Pacific Ocean, makes it likely to get a lot of precipitation, much more than Seattle's normal 39 inches. Sequim experiences a rain shadow effect while the Olympic Mountains help to retain moisture on the western side of the city. Though it can be difficult to sustain a constant degree of moisture, living in such wet surroundings gives its residents a varied scenery and a rich ecosystem.

Seattle has deep coffee roots, and quality and ingenuity is paramount in their culture. The city is where Starbucks started in a small store in Pike Place Market, and eventually grew to an international chain. Local coffee roasters and independent coffeehouses thrive, serving up unique roasts and roasting practices. The rainy days in Seattle provide coffeehouses as an ideal haven for local and visiting communities. Local coffee culture is sustainability and sourcing focused, and local coffee continues to impact coffee culture around the country.

Comprising city, county, and state taxes, Seattle's sales tax rate is 10.25% as of February 2025. Grocery, prescription drugs, and some professional services are exempt; most retail items, prepared food, and some services are taxed. Included in what the income supports are social programs, safety, transportation, and public services. Keeping informed by official sources such as the Washington State Department of Revenue enables both locals and guests to properly control spending. Knowing Seattle's tax structure guarantees improved financial planning and a clearer perspective of how tax contributions help the city.