Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Boca Raton, FL
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Boca Raton leads 16 of 23 categories
Boca Raton
Florida
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$95,570
Violent Crime Index
45 ✓ Safer
Population
97,980
Seattle
Washington
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Boca Raton, FL
Pros
78% less violent crime than Seattle
Homes cost $283k less ($597,100 vs $879,900)
Violent crime is well below the national average (171.0 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 76°F vs 47°F
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Seattle by $20,498/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Higher rents — median is $2,170/mo
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.2%)
Seattle, WA
Pros
Households earn $20,498 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.2%)
Rent averages $225/mo less ($1,945 vs $2,170)
More college-educated — 66.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 91°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (5007.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Boca Raton
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 111.8 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Boca Raton
Violent Crime
78% lower
171.0 vs 775.1 per 100k
Boca Raton
Median Home Value
$283k less
$597,100 vs $879,900
Boca Raton
Summer Heat
14.0°F warmer
July avg high 90.5°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$20,498
$116,068 vs $95,570/yr
Seattle
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $597,100⚠ High ✓ Lower | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,170⚠ High | $1,945⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,570 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.6 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 18.0% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 59 ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 45 ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) ✓ Better | A- (112) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 59.0% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 96.0% ✓ Higher | 95.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PALM BEACH | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 76.3°F ✓ Warmer | 47.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.5°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 65.6" | 38.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 97,980 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 47.1 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.7% ✓ Higher | 44.5% |
| Under 18 | 17.0% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 25.7% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Boca Raton's cost of living index is 111.8 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Boca Raton is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Boca Raton leads 16 of 23 categories. Boca Raton wins 16 and Seattle wins 7. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Boca Raton to Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($597,100 vs $879,900 median home), income ($95,570 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Boca Raton, FL and Seattle, WA are about 2,707 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.