Seattle, WA
98109
King County County · Washington · Pop. 19,530
Last updated: May 2026
Seattle, Washington (ZIP code 98109) is home to approximately 19,530 residents. The median household income in 98109 is $199,590, which is 182% above the national average of $70,784. The cost of living in 98109 is reflected in its housing market - the median home value is $893,437 and the average rent is $3,463/month. 98109 has a violent crime rate of 86.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 77% below the national average - earning it a safety grade of A+. 98109 is served by with an average school rating of 9.6/10. Air quality in 98109 is rated Good with an average AQI of 27.7. The average commute time in 98109 is 19 minutes, 9 minutes below the national average. Compare 98109 vs national averages and nearby neighborhoods using our free ZipScore intelligence platform.
On This Page
👥 Demographics
Race & Ethnicity
💰 Income & Economy
Affordability Assessment: Renters in this area spend approximately 21% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 4.5x the median income.
🏠 Housing
🔒 Safety & Crime
Seattle (98109) is significantly safer than the national average, with violent crime rates 77% below the US average. This is considered a very safe area.
🎓 Schools & Education
Top Schools in 98109
| School | Type | Rating | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage Academy | public | 10/10 | 946 |
| Seattle STEM Academy | public | 9/10 | 763 |
| Riverside Elementary | public | 9/10 | 887 |
🌡️ Climate & Weather
🌫️ Air Quality
⚠️ Natural Disaster Risk
🚗 Commute
Nearby ZIP Codes
Compare 98109 With Another ZIP
Pros and Cons of Living in Seattle, WA (98109)
Based on crime, housing, income, schools, and air quality data
✅ Pros
- + Low crime rate - violent crime is 77% below the national average
- + Above-average income - median household income of $199,590
- + Good air quality - average AQI of 27.7 (rated "Good" by EPA standards)
- + Strong schools - average school rating 9.6/10
- + Short commute times - average 19 minutes
⚠️ Cons
- − High housing costs - home prices 194% above the national average
- − High rent - average $3,463/month, above the national median of $1,163
Data sourced from US Census Bureau, FBI Crime Statistics, and EPA. Individual experiences may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions about ZIP Code 98109
What is the population of 98109? ▼
The population of ZIP code 98109 in Seattle, Washington is approximately 19,530 people.
Is 98109 safe to live in? ▼
Seattle (98109) is significantly safer than the national average, with violent crime rates 77% below the US average. This is considered a very safe area. Safety Grade: A+.
What is the median income in 98109? ▼
The median household income in 98109 (Seattle, Washington) is $199,590. The per capita income is $129,734. The US national median household income is $70,784.
What is the cost of living in 98109? ▼
Renters in this area spend approximately 21% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 4.5x the median income. Median home value: $893,437. Average rent: $3,463/month.
What are schools like in 98109? ▼
Schools in 98109 receive an Education Grade of A+. There are 3 schools with an average rating of 9.6/10 and a student-teacher ratio of 12:1. See the full schools section above for individual school listings.
What is the crime rate in 98109? ▼
The violent crime rate in 98109 is 86.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average of 380.7. Property crime rate: 446.0 per 100k (national avg: 1,958.2).
What is the average rent in 98109? ▼
The median monthly rent in 98109 (Seattle, Washington) is $3,463/month. The national median rent is $1,163/month.
What is the median home value in 98109? ▼
The median home value in 98109 (Seattle, Washington) is $893,437. The national median home value is $303,400.
Is 98109 a good place to live? ▼
98109 (Seattle, Washington) has a ZipScore of 84/100 - our composite score based on safety (25%), affordability (20%), schools (15%), air quality (10%), climate (10%), commute (10%), and disaster risk (10%). This is an excellent neighborhood to live in.
What is the air quality in 98109? ▼
The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in 98109 is 27.7 - rated Good by EPA standards. Average PM2.5 level: 5.1 µg/m³.
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), FBI Uniform Crime Report, EPA AirNow, FEMA National Risk Index, and Open-Meteo. Last updated: May 2026