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Living in Boston is like living in a city full of history and culture with all the perks of a modern lifestyle like a good economy, education system, and a culinary scene that’s tempting, to say the least. However, the city’s harsh winters and snowstorms are something that’s making most of its residents move to other cities. One such city that has always been a great place to live in for people moving out of Boston is Seattle.
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Just like Boston, Seattle, too, has a great economy and plenty of modern amenities. The city also has breathtaking landscapes with quaint neighborhoods and charming houses. Maybe that’s the reason why Owl City imagines and dreams about what it would be like to live in Seattle in his song ‘Hello Seattle’. Quite an interesting song that tries to capture the essence of living in this beautiful city! If you too are moved by Seattle’s beauty and opportunities, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about moving from Boston to Seattle. Let’s just dive right in!
In Boston, you’ll find a continental climate whereas Seattle is known to have a sub-oceanic climate. Boston is in close proximity to the North Atlantic and that moderates the temperature here. In Seattle, the coastal areas of the city are known to be less humid than the other parts of the city.
Summers in Boston are warm and hot. This is the time when the city often experiences thunderstorms. Seattle, on the other hand, has warm and mild summers and the city is also known to have heat waves on certain days. This is the best time in Seattle for the residents to soak in the sun at the beaches here.
Here’s the difference in temperatures that you can expect during peak summers:
Boston has very harsh winters with freezing winds and frequent snowfall. If you’re considering moving from Boston to Seattle, you’ll be glad to know that Seattle has relatively mild winters. The city has less snowfall but often experiences cold waves during winters.
Here’s the difference in temperatures that you can expect during peak winters:
Few Things To Bear In Mind About Seattle Weather:
It’s no secret that both Boston and Seattle are two of the most popular metropolitan cities in the U.S. All their modern amenities come at a high cost of living. As per the data shared by Payscale, Boston’s cost of living is almost 48% and Seattle’s cost of living is almost 49% higher than the national average. So, you’ll be spending a considerable amount of money on your living expenses in both cities. Let’s take a look at some of the living expenses you’ll have to meet and their costs.
See also: 15 Cheap Cities to Move to – The Lowest Cost of Living Cities in the U.S.
The real estate market can be one of the biggest factors that can either make you stay in a city or deter you from moving there. Since the cost of living is high in both Boston and Seattle, it shouldn't surprise you that the housing market is also on the expensive side. Seattle in particular is one of the most expensive cities to live in the U.S. So, if you’re planning to move here, you can consider living in affordable neighborhoods like South Park, Greenwood, Columbia City, etc.
Here’s what the median house cost is like in both cities:
There are many perks of renting a house if you can’t afford to buy one. First of all, renting a house gives you the flexibility to break down your leases. And since you will be paying monthly rents, you can choose to live in a house in a good neighborhood with many modern amenities. Although the housing market is expensive in Seattle, you could still crack a good deal in some of the cheap neighborhoods like Northgate, Capitol Hill, Ballard, etc.
Here’s what the median house rent is like in both cities:
When making your budget for your move from Boston to Seattle, don’t forget to include your utility bills. We’ve compiled your utility costs for basic necessities in Seattle, as per the data shared by Payscale. Your basic utility costs like energy and phone bills will cost you around $206.39 and $220.00 respectively. If you’re planning to use your own vehicle for transportation, then you’ll have to pay around $3.47 for a gallon of gas.
Let’s not forget the grocery costs that you’ll have to pay in Seattle. Your breakfast necessities like a carton of eggs and a gallon of milk will cost you $2.29 and $2.46 respectively. For making your toast sandwiches, a loaf of bread will cost you around $4.22. On your cheat days when you wish you relish a hamburger from any eatery outside, you’ll be paying around $5.37 for a hamburger.
Both Boston and Seattle seem to share the spotlight when it comes to a thriving job market. If you’re planning to move to Seattle, you’ll be glad to know that the city has a diverse economy. It’s also home to a number of Fortune 500 companies. No wonder it’s considered one of the cities having the strongest economy in the state of Washington. The aerospace, retail, healthcare, and biotechnology industries greatly contribute to the overall economy of Seattle.
Some of the top-notch industries in Seattle include the following:
Now that you know about the economy in both cities, let’s take a look at the unemployment rate in both cities as shared by BestPlaces. Boston has an unemployment rate of 6.2% while Seattle has an unemployment rate of just 4.2%. The national average stands at 6.0% which clearly shows that you can expect better employment opportunities in Seattle.
To give you an insight into the kind of salaries you can expect, we’ve shared the median household income in both cities:
Boston and Seattle certainly come out as two of the most powerful cities in the U.S. Even when it comes to transportation, both cities have a great transit system. However, Seattle seems to have an edge over Boston because of its extensive transportation system. First of all, the city has a walkability score of almost 99/100. Amazing, isn’t it? So you can rest assured that getting around in the city won’t be too much of a trouble for you as most places are at a walkable distance.
The following are some of the commute options you can avail of in Seattle to get around in the city:
Fermont is among the most popular and diverse neighborhoods in Seattle. It has many outdoor sculptures and antique stores giving the neighborhood a bohemian vibe to it. One of the most popular places here is the Fremont Sunday Market where you get the most exotic food and plenty of art and antiques. The neighborhood is also home to several major companies like Adobe Systems, Google, and many more.
Median Value Of Homes: $788,000
Monthly Median Rent: $1,900
One of the most lively and vibrant neighborhoods in Seattle is Belltown. Here, you’ll find the streets filled with many cafes, boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries. If you’re a fan of live music, then you’ll be glad to know that this place has tons of nightclubs and live music centers including the Crocodile. The best thing about living here is that most places are at a walkable distance. Not to forget that Belltown is also known for its high-rise condos that you can choose to stay in if you’re planning to move here.
Median Value Of Homes: $490,000
Monthly Median Rent: $2,319
Pioneer Square is considered to be one of the most historic and culturally diverse neighborhoods in Seattle. The buildings here are nothing but Romanesque Revival buildings that are simply jaw-dropping. One of the most active spots here is Occidental Square where the residents go to enjoy their outdoor gatherings with friends and family at the many bistro tables and bocce tables here.
Median Value Of Homes: $797,000
Monthly Median Rent: $2,558
If you’re looking for an active neighborhood to live in with an exciting lifestyle, then Capitol Hill might be just the place for you. One thing is certain, you’ll never get bored here! That’s because the place is filled with many nightclubs, eateries, and cafes to keep you busy and entertained. Capitol Hill is also in close proximity to popular places like Downtown Seattle and the University of Washington.
Median Value Of Homes: $767,500
Monthly Median Rent: $2,095
One of the most walkable and modern neighborhoods in Seattle is Greenwood. Here, there are plenty of coffee shops, eateries, and art galleries that the residents love exploring. The place also has many bus lines which makes it easy to navigate to popular places like Downtown Seattle. Greenwood is also known to have some of the best schools in Seattle making it an ideal place for families to settle in.
Median Value Of Homes: $845,000
Monthly Median Rent: $1,697
See Also: Popular Neighborhoods In Seattle For Families
Keep in mind that a long distance move from Boston to Seattle will be on the expensive side. The average cost for your move from Boston to Seattle will fall in the price range of $4,000 to $6,000. We want to remind you that the date and time of your move along with your moving services will greatly influence your overall moving cost.
If you have any bulky items like furniture or fragile items like lamps and showpieces, we suggest you seek professional help to pack and move these items safely. A home inventory is a must when planning your move. It will also aid you in getting value protection for all your valuable items. So, don’t forget to make a home inventory well in advance.
Summing Up
Boston and Seattle are two great cities to live in. But if you’re tired of the cold winters in Boston and are looking forward to a warm climate, summers in Seattle would certainly work for you. We suggest you consider all aspects before planning your move to a new place. If you think Seattle works best for you and your needs, we’re here to help you find the right movers to carry out your move smoothly.
See also: Cheap Movers: Top 10 Affordable Moving Companies | Moving From California To Seattle
Seattle and Boston are both popular cities in the U.S with great economies, transportation systems, and diverse cultures. In Boston, the residents face difficulty dealing with cold winters, whereas in Seattle, the rain makes the atmosphere gloomy at certain times. Seattle is just as good as Boston, it depends on what amenities you’d like in a city. If you think you want to get rid of harsh winters and live in one of the most economically prospering cities in America, then Seattle is definitely a good place for you.
Seattle and Boston are both two of the most expensive cities to live in the U.S. As per the data shared by Payscale, the overall cost of living in Boston is almost 48% higher than the national average. However, Seattle’s cost of living is also almost 49% higher than the national average. Although Boston seems relatively cheaper than Seattle, both cities have a very high cost of living.
Seattle is known to be one of the most economically powerful cities in the U.S. The city also has some of the most breathtaking views, restaurants, schools, and other modern amenities. So, moving here is definitely worth it considering that the city has a good standard of living.
See also: Moving from Seattle to NYC | Moving From Seattle To Dallas | Moving from Boston to NYC
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