98118 receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
98118
98122
Opportunity
54 · Bottom 48%
vs54 · Bottom 49%
Growth
61 · Top 31%
vs61 · Top 31%
Climate
74 · Top 37%
vs74 · Top 37%
Physical resilience
40 · Bottom 32%
vs40 · Bottom 32%
Housing affordability
62 · Bottom 31%
vs45 · Bottom 12%
Access
95 · Bottom 49%
vs95 · Bottom 49%
Economic stability
67 · Top 36%
vs67 · Top 36%
Measured values
| Metric | 98118 | 98122 | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,500 | 43,234 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $113,762 | $106,886 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $61,620 | $92,135 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 8,092/sq mi | 18,508/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $810,500 | $957,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,839 | $1,991 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 57.1% | 28.4% | 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 | 51.9% | 71.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.6% | 12.9% | 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 | 36.5" | 36.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 2 mi | 6 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 32.2 min | 25.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.4 | 32.4 | 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
98118
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
98122
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: 98118 — Seattle, WA · 98122 — Seattle, WA · How this is calculated: methodology