What this calculator does
This calculator compares the monthly cost of commuting in Seattle by transit with the full cost of owning and driving a car — payment, insurance, gas, maintenance, parking and tolls. Sound Transit's Link light rail and King County Metro buses use the ORCA card, and a monthly PugetPass covers most trips. Parking is expensive downtown and in dense neighborhoods, and SR 520 and SR 99 tunnel tolls apply to some commutes.
How to use it
- Keep the Sound Transit / King County Metro transit cost or change it to your actual fare spend.
- Enter your car payment, insurance and typical parking and tolls.
- Enter commute miles, driving days and other driving.
- Compare the totals and the per-mile cost.
The formula
Monthly car cost = payment + insurance + (monthly miles ÷ mpg × gas price) + (monthly miles × maintenance per mile) + parking + tolls. Monthly miles = daily round trip × days per week × 52 ÷ 12 + other miles. Transit cost = pass or fares + occasional rideshare.
Worked example for Seattle
| Item | Per month |
|---|---|
| Car payment or lease | $550 |
| Insurance | $183 |
| Gas (733 mi at 28 mpg) | $115 |
| Maintenance and tires | $73 |
| Parking | $280 |
| Tolls | $30 |
| Car total | $1,232 |
| Sound Transit / King County Metro pass | $108 |
| Occasional rideshare / car share | $60 |
| Transit total | $168 |
Transit saves you about $1,064 / month.
What changes the answer in Seattle
Seattle's high sales tax (10.55%) and rent offset part of the no-income-tax advantage, but high average wages keep take-home pay strong. Parking is often the swing factor in dense neighborhoods, while in spread-out areas the lack of transit coverage can make a car necessary regardless of cost.
Common mistakes and tips
- Counting only gas as the cost of driving.
- Ignoring depreciation — even a paid-off car loses value every year.
- Forgetting pre-tax commuter benefits: many employers let you pay transit and parking with pre-tax dollars (up to the IRS monthly limit).
- Comparing without counting time; a longer transit trip can still be worth it if you can read or work.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a monthly transit pass cost in Seattle?
This page uses about $108 for ORCA PugetPass (monthly). Fares change — confirm with Sound Transit / King County Metro.
Is it cheaper to own a car in Seattle or use transit?
With the default inputs, transit saves you about $1,064 / month. Parking, the car payment and insurance usually decide it.
What are pre-tax commuter benefits?
Under IRS rules, employers can let you pay transit passes and work parking from pre-tax pay up to a monthly limit, which lowers the effective cost by your tax rate.
What does a car really cost per mile?
Including fixed costs, often 70 cents to more than a dollar per mile for a financed car, far more than the gas alone.
Sources
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and is not financial, tax, legal, real estate, or insurance advice. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions.