Are you looking for the perfect Seattle suburb with easy access to business, restaurants, and transportation? Then, living in SeaTac WA may be a dream come true.
SeaTac, WA, is a diverse suburb of Seattle known for its proximity to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The city offers a mix of residential and commercial areas, with parks, shopping, and easy access to major highways for drivers living in SeaTac WA. With a range of housing options and a strong transit network, SeaTac is a convenient place to live for commuters and travelers alike.
The Highline area (which includes Sea-Tac) was largely industrial and unincorporated until the 1980s. It was officially incorporated as a city in 1990, following the passing of a referendum, and other nearby cities soon followed suit.
Fast-forward to the modern day, SeaTac is a good place to live for those who want a quiet area with affordable homes compared to the rest of Seattle. Do you think you might like living there? Here is everything you should know before moving to SeaTac.
Where Is SeaTac?
SeaTac is a city in southern King County, within the Greater Seattle metro area. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport occupies a large portion of the northwestern part of the city. It’s also served by several major highways, including State Route 99, State Route 518, and Airport Expressway. Parts of I-5 and State Route 509 pass through the city limits, offering access to other parts of Washington State.
Commuters living in SeaTac WA have easy access to public transportation. The Link Light Rail has two stops in the city, and the King County Metro operates multiple bus lines in the area. Other cities near SeaTac include Des Moines, Normandy Park, Burien, Tukwila, and Kent.
It’s 15 miles or a 20-minute drive from SeaTac to downtown Seattle.
SeaTac Population & Demographics
As of the 2020 census, the SeaTac population is 31,437 residents. More and more people are moving to SeaTac to take advantage of the unique lifestyle the community offers. In fact, the SeaTac WA population increased by 17% between 2010 and 2020. It has a fairly dense, urban-suburban atmosphere, and the population density is 3,094 residents per square mile.
It’s a very young, diverse city with many families and young professionals living in SeaTac WA. 18% of residents are in their 30s, and 23% are under 18.
The majority of residents living in SeaTac WA are Caucasian, but only by a slim margin, as it has large Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations. The racial and ethnic breakdown is 31.2% white (29.3% white, non-Hispanic), 24.3% Black or African American, 22.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 15.9% Asian.
Other WA SeaTac Demographics:
- The SeaTac Washington population is 55% female and 45% male
- The median household income is $76,517, which is about 20% lower than the rest of Seattle
- 83.9% of residents living in SeaTac WA have a high school diploma, and 26.6% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- The foreign-born population is 39.9%
Generally speaking, living in SeaTac WA is safe. However, being so close to a major city, it does experience a higher rate of crime than the rest of the country. The total SeaTac crime rate is 5,840 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 56.5% higher than the Washington crime rate and 151.3% higher than the national average.
The violent crime rate is also 70.9% higher than the rest of the country, and the property crime rate is 166% higher. So, you’ll definitely want to take the proper precautions if you plan on moving to SeaTac.
The SeaTac Police Department is in charge of controlling crime in the community through the dedication of 25 patrol officers and 3 patrol sergeants.
Cost of Living in SeaTac WA
Although the cost of living in SeaTac WAis higher than the rest of the country, it’s more generally affordable than the city of Seattle. A great way to understand the cost of living in a community is to reference the cost of living index. It compares the typical cost of average consumer goods to the rest of the country, which is represented by 100.
The COLI for the South Seattle metro area is 123.8, which indicates that the cost of living in SeaTac WA is about 23.8% higher than the typical US city.
The Economic Policy Institute created a Family Budget Calculator that can also be a helpful resource. It shows that the average family of four with two adults and two kids would need to earn $151,928 to afford the cost of living in SeaTac WA.
Typical expenses of living in SeaTac WA:
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $22.50
- 1 gallon of regular milk: $4.01
- Regular cappuccino: $5.67
- 1 pound of chicken fillets: $5.80
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $4.05
- Bottle of wine: $22.50
- Average SeaTac monthly utility bill: $163.47
Source: Numbeo
SeaTac real estate is reasonably priced compared to the rest of the Seattle area. Redfin reveals that the median price of a house for sale in SeaTac is $520,000. While higher than the nationwide median, it means homes for sale in SeaTac WA are 38% less expensive than in the city of Seattle. The median price per square foot of SeaTac WA real estate is $417.
Renters living in SeaTac WA will also find a plethora of options. In fact, 55% of properties are rental housing, while 45% are owner-occupied. Data from Rentcafe reveals that the average rent in SeaTac, WA, is $1,767, which is only slightly higher than the national average.
You’ll find a range of luxury apartments close to Seatac Airport as well as smaller rentals and single-family homes in other parts of the community. Rent prices start around $900 for a studio apartment and go up to $3375 for three or more bedrooms.
A few of the top apartment buildings for tenants living in Seasac WA:
SeaTac Neighborhoods | Where To Live in SeaTac
SeaTac is full of wonderful communities offering affordable homes, a unique atmosphere, and access to amenities at the new facility for anyone living in SeaTac WA. Planning on moving to SeaTac? Here are a few neighborhoods to consider.
Angle Lake | A Family Friendly Neighborhood With Lake Views
Situated near the L-shaped lake of the same name, Angle Lake is a family-friendly community featuring a park, light rail station, and convenient access to the airport. Perfect for anyone living in SeaTac WA, who likes to travel.
McMicken Heights | A Centrally-Located SeaTac Neighborhood With a Tranquil Atmosphere
Ideal for families living in SeaTac WA, McMicken Heights is a peaceful neighborhood in the heart of SeaTac. It features a great mix of single-family homes, apartments, and condos near plenty of shopping and transportation.
Riverton Heights | A Beautiful Community Near the Botanical Gardens.
Riverton Heights is a bustling neighborhood in the northern part of SeaTac, known for its proximity to the Highline Botanical Garden, airport, and other notable SeaTac attractions.
SeaTac Weather & Climate
The weather in SeaTac is similar to what you might experience anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest. It has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate known for its overcast days, dry summers, and warm, wet winters.
The temperature in SeaTac typically varies from about 37°F to 79°F, although it can get as cold as 28°F in the winter and as hot as 89°F in the summer. The best time to visit a friend living in SeaTac WA is typically July or August.
Anyone moving to SeaTac should anticipate precipitation. The city averages about 39 inches of rain and 6 inches of snow every year, so you’ll want to bring an umbrella and possibly some snow boots.
Things to Do in SeaTac
For a small city, SeaTac, Washington, and the surrounding area offer no shortage of fun things to do. The SeaTac Community Center is a popular place for residents living in SeaTac WA to meet, play, and exercise.
For those looking to shop, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, retail outlets, and local businesses at SeaTac International Mall, Westfield Southcenter, or the SeaTac Shopping Mall. Other than shopping, here are a few other top attractions in SeaTac.
Angle Lake State Park
Situated on the banks of the L-shaped Lake, Angle Lake Park is one of the best things to do in SeaTac, WA, for families, with a boat launch, recreation area, playground equipment, swimming pools, and more.
19408 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188 (206) 973-4680
Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens
Nature lovers looking for fun things to do in SeaTac should check out the Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens, a 10-acre garden full of native and exotic plants that display the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
13735 24th Ave S, SeaTac, WA 98168 (206) 391-4003
Hydroplane & RaceBoat Museum
The Hydroplane and RaceBoat Museum is a unique attraction in the nearby community of Kent that features artifacts and memorabilia and offers kid’s boating classes.
5917 S 196th St, Kent, WA 98032 (206) 764-9453
Additional Attractions in SeaTac
For those who want more things to do while living in SeaTac, WA, the Parks and Recreation Department lists special events on its website.
SeaTac Restaurants
Due to its location near the airport, SeaTac, WA, has a surprising number of delicious restaurants. Here are some of the best restaurants frequented by food lovers living in SeaTac WA.
Sharps RoastHouse
Sharps RoastHouse is one of the best restaurants in SeaTac, WA for those craving roasted meats and craft cocktails. It offers mouthwatering menu items like 12-hour-roasted prime rib and split fire-roasted rotisserie chicken in a dining room with airplane propellers on the ceilings.
18427 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188 (206) 241-5744
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Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar
Copperleaf is a farm-to-table SeaTac restaurant at the Cedar Brook ski lodge. It serves signature entrees from the Pacific Northwest centered around a cozy stone fireplace.
18525 36th Ave S, SeaTac, WA 98188 (206) 214-4282
Salty’s At the SEA
Located inside the SeaTac Airport, Salty’s At the SEA is an upscale seafood restaurant serving classic dishes like calamari and fresh oysters in a casual setting.
17801 International Blvd CT-1, Seattle, WA 98158 (206) 331-4603
Jobs in SeaTac
Living in SeaTac WA offers easy access to employment. The city has over 900 businesses, including 80 Fortune 1000 companies. The Sea-Tac Airport is a major provider of jobs in SeaTac, WA. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are both headquartered in SeaTac, and several others have operations along Pacific Highway South.
Outside of aviation, residents living in SeaTac WA will also find employment in the greater Seattle area. The top five sectors for employment in Kings County are government, healthcare and social assistance, professional, scientific and technical services, and accommodation and food services.
Largest employers in the Puget Sound Region:
Payscale shows that the average salary for employees in Seattle is $93,000 per year, which will be similar for workers living in SeaTac WA. From caregiver to career coach, you can find many SeaTac WA jobs available. Alternatively, you can also find SeaTac jobs at the airport.
SeaTac Schools
Students living in SeaTac WA will have access to fantastic schools. The Highline Public Schools District serves the majority of the city.
Elementary schools serving the Highline section include:
- Bow Lake Elementary School in SeaTac
- Madrona Elementary School in SeaTac
- McMicken Elementary School in SeaTac
- Cedarhurst Elementary School in Burien
Most students living in SeaTac WA are zoned for Chinook Middle School and Tyee High School, which are in the city. However, some are zoned for Sylvester Middle School and Highline High School in Burien. Small parts of SeaTac are also zoned for Kent or Renton School Districts schools.
For those looking for private education, the Seattle Christian School is located in SeaTac and serves grades K-12. Residents living in SeaTac WA are also welcome to stop by the Valley View branch of the King County Public Library System for books and community events.
SeaTac Statistics & Information
- County: King County
- SeaTac area: 10.2 square miles
- SeaTac zip code: 98148 – 98198
- SeaTac area code: 206
- SeaTac elevation: 348 ft
- SeaTac time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC-7 and -8)
- The closest airport to SeaTac: The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is within the city limits
SeaTac, WA Map
Looking for more attractions, activities, and fun things to do while living in SeaTac WA? Find them with this map.
See For Yourself What Living in SeaTac WA Is Really Like
When you’re ready to discover for yourself what living in SeaTac WA is really like, All Ready Moving and Storage is here to help you with the relocation. Our dedicated SeaTac movers are here to make your journey easy and efficient. Call (360) 507-2447 for a free quote.
