98109 and 98103 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
98109
98103
Opportunity
55 · Top 49%
vs55 · Top 49%
Growth
61 · Top 32%
vs61 · Top 32%
Climate
74 · Top 36%
vs74 · Top 36%
Physical resilience
40 · Bottom 31%
vs40 · Bottom 31%
Housing affordability
55 · Bottom 17%
vs59 · Bottom 22%
Access
95 · Top 43%
vs94 · Top 43%
Economic stability
71 · Top 29%
vs80 · Top 11%
Measured values
| Metric | 98109 | 98103 | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,328 | 52,671 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $133,663 | $131,154 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $117,676 | $96,570 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 17,741/sq mi | 11,475/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $1,034,100 | $1,044,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,343 | $2,032 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 21.1% | 44.4% | 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 | 79.4% | 78.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.7% | 6.8% | 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" | 37.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 7 mi | 10 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.8 min | 27.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 31.7 | 34.5 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 3 | 6 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 12.36 | 20.18 | 2024-25 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 20.3% | 18.5% | 2024-25 school 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
98109
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
98103
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: 98109 — Seattle, WA · 98103 — Seattle, WA · How this is calculated: methodology