98103 and 98118 receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
98103
98118
Opportunity
56 · Top 47%
vs54 · Bottom 48%
Growth
61 · Top 31%
vs61 · Top 31%
Climate
74 · Top 37%
vs74 · Top 37%
Physical resilience
40 · Bottom 32%
vs40 · Bottom 32%
Housing affordability
59 · Bottom 27%
vs62 · Bottom 31%
Access
94 · Bottom 49%
vs95 · Bottom 49%
Economic stability
80 · Top 10%
vs67 · Top 36%
Measured values
| Metric | 98103 | 98118 | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,671 | 50,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $131,154 | $113,762 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $96,570 | $61,620 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 11,475/sq mi | 8,092/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $1,044,100 | $810,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,032 | $1,839 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 44.4% | 57.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 4.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.6% | -1.6% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 78.6% | 51.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 6.8% | 11.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 4,827 | 4,827 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 6.4 | 6.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 25.0% | 25.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 77°F | 77°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 37°F | 37°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 36.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 10 mi | 2 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 27.5 min | 32.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.5 | 38.4 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
98103
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
98118
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: 98103 — Seattle, WA · 98118 — Seattle, WA · How this is calculated: methodology