Both single adults and families face higher costs of living in every county in Washington state. In Seattle, a single adult needs to earn more than the minimum wage to meet basic needs, and more than double that—$34 an hour—if they are caring for an infant. The data comes from the 2020 update to the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State, which provides an in-depth look at the cost of supporting a working family based on housing, childcare, food, healthcare, transportation, and eligible supports.

The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County releases 2014 Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State- A Washington family of four must spend 46 percent more on average to make ends meet today than 13 years ago, according to the 2014 Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State, a report released by the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) and the University of Washington.