Alex is the founder of 9Kilo Moving, which he started to help people easily find and choose the right moving company to make their move as stress-free and seamless as possible. He has spent over 20 years working in the moving industry, so he knows every aspect of the business and uses his knowledge to write about the industry and give moving advice. More on about us page
If you’re a coffee fanatic, then you already love Seattle for being the Coffee Capital of the World. But, you had a good run in Seattle, and are now looking for a change of space. Or, you want to experience what living and working in one of America’s biggest bustling cities feels like. Whatever your reason, we should say that the idea of moving to New York is a good one. New York is the land of opportunity, a city that never grows old or less relevant, no matter the number of years that go by.
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But is New York City really worth it? What is its cost of living? What’s the weather there like? We answer all such questions and more in this article. So, begin reading and see what the Big Apple has in store for you and all the changes you can expect upon shifting from beautiful Seattle to glamorous New York City.
If you feel like you’re going to miss Seattle’s warm summers in New York, then we should say that you’re not going to miss a thing about Seattle summers because New York City has temperate summer weather as well. The Big Apple sports a humid subtropical climate and has more hours of sunlight, too. This is pretty delightful for those who are ardent lovers of the beach, of which you will find many along New York’s East Coast. However, you’re going to experience a couple more rainy days during New York City’s summer months than in Seattle’s, but that is only to balance the heat out.
You also might have to keep some sunscreen stashed in your bag or glove box because New York City can get a bit too hot during its peak summer season. But, that’s nothing to worry about since summer temperatures rarely cross over 100°F, unless global warming is at its peak.
Here’s the difference in temperature that you can expect during peak summers:
Winters in New York City are a bit colder than in Seattle, so keep those warm puffer jackets ready. Also, NYC does witness some amount of snowfall – say an average of 11 to 12 days per year – as compared to Seattle.
Most times, the snowfall is lenient but it can hit extremes in New York City. So, better check the weather forecasts before heading out. On the brighter side, when you compare the number of rainy days between Seattle and New York City, you’ll find that the Big Apple has fewer of them. Seattle’s winters can get real gloomy at times. But living in New York will rid you of any such worries, so this can be taken as one of the biggest advantages of living in this magnificent city.
Here’s the difference in temperature that you can expect during peak winters:
When planning to move to a new city, the cost of living is an important factor you should consider. No matter how beautiful a city might look, you should see to it that high expenses don't get in the way of your living. However, if you choose to live in NYC, you should know that this city is around 30% more expensive than Seattle. Factors such as food, transportation, and rent are some of the main reasons why living in New York City might require a bit of budgeting.
If you’re ever planning to buy a house in New York City, you’re in luck because its rates are 19% cheaper than buying a house in Seattle. Also, when it comes to property taxes, NYC has an effective tax rate of 0.88% as compared to the property tax rate of Seattle, which stands at 0.93%. In that regard, you’re going to see yourself saving a lot of money by living in New York City. Below are the median home values of both cities. Compare the rates and see for yourself how much you're going to save by living in New York, real-estate-wise:
Here is where New York City’s cost of living increases. Rent in the Big Apple is approximately 71% higher than in Seattle. For a 2-bedroom apartment, you will pay around $3,250 per month as compared to $1,895, which is Seattle’s monthly rent rate. Since New York’s economy is booming, rental costs haven't decided to lower yet because of the elite who can afford them. So, if you want to rent an apartment in New York City, ensure beforehand that you have adequate savings and a well-paying job to afford the inflated rent rates.
When it comes to utility costs that include electricity, water, sewage, and heating, a New Yorker pays around $170 per month for a 915 sq. ft. apartment. This is 21% less than the monthly utility rate of a Seattlite, which is $217 per month. That’s good news!
However, if you want to buy groceries in New York City, you will find that the prices are a bit higher than the average rate of groceries in Seattle. To help you understand the difference in price ranges, let us take a look at the price of a loaf of bread. A fresh loaf of bread (500 grams) in Seattle would cost you around $3.81 whereas, for that same loaf, you would pay $4.04 in New York. Why is there a 6% increase in rates, you may ask? This is because commercial leases in New York are quite expensive. To account for that, shop owners in New York City bump the grocery prices a bit. So, what you are actually paying is the base price of the product and, proportionately, the rent that the shop owner has to pay. This is, again, how New York’s rents affect the cost of living of daily individuals.
When it comes to the economy, New York City is not lacking in any way. It’s huge, diverse, and because of that, it draws many people from across the country to help them achieve the American Dream. It is said that if New York City were a country by itself, its economy would be bigger than countries such as South Korea and Brazil. So, you can imagine the amount of revenue New York rakes in as a city.
If you’re looking for lucrative job opportunities, you can dig into New York City’s diverse economy and see which industry you feel you’re more inclined to. You can choose from finance, communication, healthcare, and technology. If you find yourself leaning more towards the creative space, New York has opportunities for digital media, fashion, design, and advertising too. On the other hand, aerospace, retail, information technology, and the music industry are some of Seattle’s major bread-winning fields for the country.
New York City is home to several Fortune 500 companies as well. Here are some of this city’s major employers that generate revenue for the nation and have also provided job opportunities for the masses, and continue to do so:
When it comes to unemployment rates, Seattle’s is 2.9%, whereas New York City’s is a whopping 7.6%. This is because New York’s economy, especially the creative industry, took a huge hit due to the global pandemic. However, there’s nothing to fear since its economy is slowly coming back to normalcy already. Things are on track for the Big Apple, and the climb upwards will only continue.
You will earn substantially well in New York City since its median household income is above the national median rate of $61,937. However, Seattleites earn a bit more than New Yorkers, but the redeeming quality of New York City's economy is its diversity. When you’re in the city, you will always find something to do. Below are the median household incomes of both the cities:
With a city so bustling, New York City has one of the country’s most comprehensive public transit systems. There are many ways to get around or to get to this city, and if you choose to live here, you will be blessed by New York’s efficient and inexpensive public transportation system. It’s so efficient that you would not even require a car to get around. Nearly all parts of the city are covered by public transportation, so you won’t have to worry too much about getting around this populous metropolitan area.
If you want to live in a quirky neighborhood, but one filled with amenities, then you can choose the Lower East Side. This neighborhood has a pretty deep European history and much of it can be seen through some of its buildings. Also, the neighborhood emits a more hip vibe because of its street art, and living here could add a bit more color to your life. Apart from that, the Lower East Side is flooded with trendy restaurants, live music bars, art galleries, and an active nightlife scene. You will find adjacent communities such as Chinatown, Little Italy, and Soho, making the Lower East Side welcoming to any community.
Median Home Value: $705,400
Monthly Median Rent: $3,750
Greenwich Village has a lot of stories to share through its bohemian apartments and historic monuments. It was the hotspot of literary, artistic, and musical endeavors, which are now preserved in its many museums and art galleries. For those who want to pursue a degree, New York University has called this neighborhood it's home. So, if you’re looking for something close to an educational institution, you can put down Greenwich Village as your potential place to move to. Adding to that, this neighborhood has an active LGBTQI+ community, vibrant nightlife, trendy cafes, and an immense number of shopping areas. What more could you ask for?
Median Home Value: $1,464,428
Monthly Median Rent: $4,226
If you’re looking for a neighborhood that has a more community vibe to it, then you should consider living in Battery Park City. It’s much quieter than other New York City neighborhoods, but at the same time, still close enough to the hustle and bustle of city life. If you’re moving in with your family, you should know that this place is blessed with good schools, community parks, movie theaters, and lots of playing spaces, therefore making it an ideal living space. Also, this neighborhood overlooks the Hudson River and is just a short distance from Wall Street. These are just some of the bonuses you get if you choose this neighborhood.
Median Home Value: $1,415,350
Monthly Median Rent: $4,155
Murray Hill is another one of New York’s neighborhoods that are much quieter in general. Nevertheless, it’s a good business place, plus there are plenty of living options in this neighborhood. This can be considered a huge advantage, since finding a good place to rent nowadays in cities like New York has become a bit strenuous, all thanks to the population overflow. Also, you’ll notice a lot of young blood walking in Murray Hill’s streets since it's close to NYU. You’ll also catch a glimpse of them enjoying an evening snack in the neighborhood's restaurants, pizza stores, and cafes.
Median Home Value: $868,414
Monthly Median Rent: $4,261
No, this is not the football club we’re referring to! Located in Lower Manhattan, this neighborhood is one of New York City’s trending and artsy neighborhoods. Due to this, you’ll find many art galleries, and chic cafes hemmed along the sidewalks of Chelsea. Also, if you’re looking for a place to rejuvenate your social life, you can do so through Chelsea’s nightclubs, karaoke bars, trendy restaurants, and large shopping malls. On the other hand, this neighborhood has an active LGBTQI+ community as well, so that adds a bit of cultural diversity to your living.
Median Home Value: $1,206,670
Monthly Median Rent: $4,418
New York City is close to 3,000 miles from Seattle and such a long distance move is going to cost quite an amount. To move from Seattle to NYC, you would have to pay approximately $4,000, but don’t take this as the final price. Many factors such as time, distance, size, and location of the move push moving costs a bit.
For such a long distance move, we suggest that you hire a professional full-service moving company. They will do all the lifting, loading, unloading, packing, and unpacking for you – and if they have the resources, even transport your vehicle for you! They are a bit expensive but they will ensure that your move is stress-free. You can choose to rent a truck or container for the move, but all the heavy lifting will have to be done by yourself.
These are a couple of estimates you should find while hiring a moving company, or while renting a truck or container for this Seattle to New York City move:
Moving Company: $4,024 - $6,272
Container: $3,525 - $4,453
Rental Truck: $2,182 - $2,756
See also: Best Moving Companies in Seattle | Moving From Los Angeles To NYC
Summing Up
There, now you know everything that you need to know about moving from Seattle to New York City. The Big Apple has a charm of its own, along with a booming economy and diverse culture. Sure, no city is free from flaws and New York City does have some of its own. For example, the cost of living. But, with proper budgeting and a good job, that con can easily be overcome. For now, go back to the drawing board, compare the qualities of Seattle and New York City, and see what’s best for you. All the best and happy moving!
It would cost you around $4,000 to move from Seattle to New York City. However, variables such as distance, time, location, and size of the move influence the costs as well. Ask your mover to give you a proper rundown of all the costs at the beginning.
New York City is the city that never sleeps. People just keep on hustling all throughout the day and into the night. Even at odd times of the night, you’ll find a substantial amount of traffic on the streets of New York.
New York City has a humid subtropical climate. The summers are humid, and winters are cold, but they’re easily bearable – which is to say that you won’t get drenched in sweat in New York City’s summer heat!
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