Big Game, Big Markets: Seattle vs. Boston Housing Matchup

Big-game week, east coast vs. west coast on the big stage – Super Bowl LX .  The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are both 14-3, strong at the quarterback position, disciplined defenses, and well-balanced teams.   But off the field, let’s run a real estate head-to-head between these two heavy-weight metro areas: Seattle vs. Boston.  

 Both communities are high-cost coastal cities and are in the top tier for cost of living nationally.  At the same time, they also rank among the highest-income U.S. Metro Areas, with median household incomes hovering $120,000. 

 🏠 For‑Sale Market

 Seattle’s for‑sale market remains more expensive, with typical home values around $832k versus roughly $706k in the Boston metro. That said, inventory growth in Seattle has begun to ease pricing pressure, which could help temper near‑term appreciation relative to recent years.

 🏢 Rental Market

The contrast is sharper on the rental side. Boston rents are approximately 27% higher than Seattle’s, yet vacancy remains tighter. The result is a more heightened affordability challenge—renters in the Boston metro are paying a larger share of income to housing, pushing a greater portion of households into cost‑burdened territory. 

 🧠 The Takeaway

Both regions benefit from strong economic fundamentals and solid housing demand—but they’re managing different constraints:

• Seattle is navigating higher vacancy today with a moderating supply pipeline

• Boston continues to grapple with housing scarcity and rent‑driven affordability pressure

 Who takes home the Lombardi trophy?  And what metro area adjusts its housing playbook to deliver better outcomes for housing consumers in 2026?