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Cheap Parking in Seattle: Where to Find the Best Deals in 2025

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Discover Seattle parking rates for 2025. See street, garage, and monthly costs, plus the cheapest neighborhoods and free parking days.

Aerial view of Seattle skyline with the Space Needle at sunset.
Many Seattle neighborhoods beyond downtown offer cheaper parking options than central garages.

 

Seattle is one of the most expensive U.S. cities for parking. Daily garage rates can reach $40 in the busiest areas, while monthly parking averages around $220 to $250. 

Luckily, there are ways to park without emptying your wallet. The Emerald City may charge big-city prices, but there are still bargains to be found if you know where to look.   

This guide explains what drivers pay for street meters, daily garages, and monthly permits, and where to find the best value.

If you drive into the city regularly, monthly parking can cut your costs in half compared to daily garage rates.

Stop Paying $40 a Day

With WhereiPark, you can lock in a spot across Seattle for $150–$200/month.

How It Works:

  1. Search your neighborhood
  2. Compare monthly rates and amenities
  3. Reserve online in minutes

[WhereiPark| Find Monthly Parking]

How Much is Parking in Seattle?

Seattle parking ranges from $1–$7.50 per hour on-street, $10–$30 per day in garages (up to $40 in downtown areas like Pike Place Market), and $220–$300 per month for long-term options. Parking is free on Sundays and city-recognized holidays.

Michael Rosenbaum, CEO of Spacer Technologies, notes that Seattle’s parking prices are shaped by neighborhood supply and demand.

“Seattle’s parking rates reflect both high demand and limited supply. On our platform, we’ve seen downtown rates push past $40 a day.  But that doesn’t mean affordable options are gone,” he noted. 

He said commuters need to be strategic when it comes to finding the best parking rates in the city. 

“Just outside the busiest areas, it’s still possible to find monthly parking under $200 if you book ahead.”

For daily commuters, knowing the cost of each parking option makes it easier to plan ahead. Seattle’s options fall into three main categories: on-street meters, daily garages, and monthly permits. Each comes with its own price range and availability, depending on where you park.

Seattle’s street parking rates

Street parking along Seattle’s waterfront with parked cars and visible meters.
Street parking in Seattle costs $1 to $7.50 per hour, with downtown and waterfront areas at the higher end of the range.

 

Seattle’s paid street parking rates depend on both neighborhood and time of day. As of August 2025, the Seattle Department of Transportation lists the following official paid street parking rates

  • Morning: From $1.00/hour in many areas
  • Afternoon: Up to $7.50/hour (e.g., Pike‑Pine area)
  • Evening: Generally similar or slightly lower
  • Sundays and holidays: Free, with time limits not enforced

Parking Garages (Daily)

Multi-level parking garage in downtown Seattle surrounded by high-rise buildings.
Garage parking in Seattle averages $10–$30 per day, with downtown locations charging the most.

 

Daily garage parking in Seattle generally runs $20–$37 for up to 24 hours, with premium locations sometimes higher. Most facilities also offer discounted early-bird or evening rates, which can save regular commuters a lot over standard hourly pricing.

  • Seattle Convention Center garages: Range from $27–$37 per day, $9 evening special.
  • Municipal garages (e.g., Seattle Municipal Tower, SeaPark): Parking rates of $35 per day, with early bird parking rates of $20 and evening parking rates of  $8.
  • Pike Place Market garages: $36 per day, with a $15 early-bird and $8 evening flat. 

 

Seattle monthly parking rates

Monthly parking rates vary widely by location and facility type. Private or peer-to-peer listings on platforms like WhereiPark can be as low as $145/month, while premium municipal garages in the central business district often charge $350–$400/month.

  • WhereiPark listings (residential/private): Typically $145–$310/month.
  • Seattle Convention Center garages: $260/month for unassigned spaces, $285/month for reserved.
  • Municipal garages (Seattle Municipal Tower, SeaPark): $350–$400/month for reserved spaces.

For commuters, the key is location trade-offs. Moving just outside the busiest downtown areas can cut costs by $100 or more, especially when booking through WhereiPark.

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Parking

Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle with residential homes and church towers.
Capitol Hill is one of Seattle’s neighborhoods where monthly parking averages $150–$250, well below downtown rates.

 

Monthly parking in Capitol Hill, Belltown, and South Lake Union generally costs $150–$250 per month, compared to $300 or more in Seattle’s downtown area. 

  • Capitol Hill: Monthly parking listings typically range from $150 to $200 per month, with higher rates for covered or secured spots.
  • Belltown: Rates average $120–$220 per month, offering savings of $100 or more compared to downtown garages.
  • South Lake Union: Despite heavy commuter traffic from tech offices, monthly parking in this area is usually $180–$250/month, still below downtown averages. You can also find options on WhereiPark that fall below $100 per month.

But why is parking in these arguably also busy neighborhoods cheap? These neighborhoods stay cheaper because demand is lighter than in the downtown area. The mix of residential supply plus off-street lots also helps keep competition strong.

Other areas to check for budget-friendly parking include:

  • Ballard: Residential and commercial mix keeps prices lower, often under $200/month.
  • Northgate: Near retail centers with lighter demand, making monthly parking more affordable.
  • West Seattle: A suburban layout and better street access translate into competitive monthly rates.
  • University District (off-campus): Cheaper options a few blocks from campus, often $150–$200/month.

WhereiPark makes it simple to compare these lower-cost neighborhoods in one place, with listings under $200/month that help commuters avoid paying $40 a day downtown.

Need a spot downtown instead? See our Downtown Seattle monthly parking guide for current garage prices and availability.

Cheapest Seattle Neighborhoods for Monthly Parking (Based on WhereiPark rates)

NeighborhoodTypical Monthly RangeCheapest VerifiedWhy It’s Cheaper
Capitol Hill$170–$200$170Residential mix, lighter demand than downtown
Belltown$120–$220$120Slightly outside core, more supply vs. downtown
South Lake Union$180–$250$180Tech hub but more lots and competition
Ballard<$200$150Residential + commercial mix keeps prices lower
Northgate$150–$200$150Near retail centers, less dense demand
West Seattle$150–$200$150Suburban layout, better street access
University District$150–$200$150Off-campus lots are cheaper, a few blocks away

Rates are based on available listings as of writing. Make sure to check the website for the latest availability and pricing updates.

Where to Find Free Parking in Seattle

Street parking in Seattle is free on Sundays and these city-recognized holidays:

  • New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday in January)
  • Presidents’ Day (3rd Monday in February)
  • Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
  • Juneteenth (June 19)
  • Independence Day (July 4)
  • Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
  • Indigenous Peoples’ Day (2nd Monday in October)
  • Veterans Day (Nov 11)
  • Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)

Note: If a holiday falls on a Sunday, then the following Monday becomes a free-parking day instead.

Pro Tips for Free Parking in Seattle

  • Get there early. Free spots on Sundays and holidays go fast in busy areas like Pike Place and the Waterfront. It’s generally ideal to get a parking spot before 10 am.
  • Check the edges of popular neighborhoods. Streets just outside Restricted Parking Zones in Capitol Hill or First Hill sometimes allow short-term free parking. However, most carry 1–2 hour limits or require a residential parking permit.  
  • Look at loading zones after hours. Many convert to free parking in the evenings, but only outside posted hours. Make sure to double-check signs to avoid parking tickets! 
  • Use park-and-ride lots. King County Metro lots are free to leave your car while you hop on transit.
  • Always read the signs. Even on free days, Restricted Parking Zones and event rules can still apply.

Free parking can save you money, but it’s not always reliable. WhereiPark offers an alternative if you need all-day or overnight parking without worrying about permits or time limits.

Tips to Save on Seattle Parking

  • Look for early-bird deals. Many garages drop their prices if you’re in before 9 am. At Pike Place, many commuters report getting an all-day rate around $15 just by arriving early.
  • Step outside the busiest blocks. Parking just beyond the downtown area (maybe a five-minute walk?) saves $100 or more each month while keeping commutes manageable.
  • Take advantage of evening rates. After work hours, prices usually dip to $8–$10 flat rates in downtown garages.
  • Think monthly, not daily. At $30 a day, parking adds up to nearly $800 a month. Switching to a WhereiPark monthly spot can bring that down to about $180, which is roughly $6 a day.

Daily vs. Monthly Parking Costs in Seattle

Parking OptionCost per DayMonthly TotalSavings vs Daily
Daily Garage ($30/day)$30~$800
WhereiPark Monthly Spot~$6$180–$200$600+ per month

Final Take: Don’t Overpay for Parking in Seattle

Parking in Seattle will always be competitive, but you don’t have to settle for $40 a day downtown. Exploring neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Belltown, or Ballard can uncover monthly spots well under $200. Booking ahead gives you predictability, saves money, and takes the stress out of the daily search for a space.

FAQs 

Where can I find cheap monthly parking in Seattle?
You can find affordable monthly parking in neighborhoods like Ballard, Northgate, and West Seattle through WhereiPark, with spots starting from $120/month.

How much does monthly parking cost in Seattle?
Garage rates average $150–$350/month, but WhereiPark offers cheaper alternatives depending on location and availability.

What’s the best way to save on parking in Seattle?
Booking a reserved monthly parking spot with WhereiPark helps avoid daily rates and unexpected fees.

Is street parking cheaper than monthly garage parking in Seattle?

Street parking in Seattle is metered at $1–$7.50 per hour, which quickly adds up compared to monthly rates starting at $120. Daily commuters usually save by booking a monthly spot rather than relying on hourly meters.

Can I find covered or secure monthly parking in Seattle?

Yes, many garages and private listings offer gated or covered spaces, often included in rates above $200/month. Options include commercial operators and private hosts on WhereiPark.

Are there monthly EV charging parking spots in Seattle?

Some monthly parking facilities include EV charging, especially in new downtown garages and residential complexes. Availability is limited, so filtering for EV-ready spaces on WhereiPark helps.

Zarah Mae Torrazo

Zarah Mae Torrazo is the Head of Content at Spacer Technologies, where she leads content creation for Parkhound, Spacer.com, Spacer.com.au, and WhereiPark. With nearly a decade of experience in digital content, Zarah specializes in crafting engaging, SEO-optimized writing that bridges both B2B and B2C audiences. Her work spans a wide range of industries from real estate and finance to mobility, health, and tech, with a focus on turning complex ideas into clear, actionable insights. At WhereiPark, Zarah writes extensively about multifamily property management, urban mobility trends, and the monetization of underused assets like parking. She’s particularly passionate about the sharing economy and its power to reshape how people and businesses access space, transport, and opportunity.

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