MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Comparing Seattle density to NY, Boston, Paris and more

Jan 26, 2017, 6:10 AM | Updated: 9:53 am

SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot) SpareFoot created this infographic to show Seattle's density compared to other cities. (SpareFoot)

With all the talk of Seattle’s growth, one company decided to take a big-picture look at how the city sizes up to other major metropolises. Depending on how you look at it — and your comfort level — Seattle density is pretty good … or bad.

A recent project by storage company SpareFoot lines Seattle up with other major cities. SpareFoot often covers real estate and moving topics on its blog, and writers kept coming across the density issue. So they put Seattle density to the test.

Related: Seattle has more construction cranes up than any other US city

“Many residents see a downside to density and urban development, particularly when it spreads into formerly low-density areas,” said Roger Telosa with SpareFoot, noting that there has been a trend of people moving back into cities over the past few years.

Comparing Seattle density

Seattle has certainly seen that trend in recent years as a tech boom has brought more people to the region, with development exploding along with it. This raises a question about Seattle density: How close to their neighbors do Seattleites want to be? Telosa said that many people fear “Manhattanization,” dramatically increasing their density.

“As you can see here, not only are cities like Seattle a long way away from New York’s density, but New York isn’t really all that dense compared to many cities in the world,” Telosa said.

“That isn’t to say that Seattle is a sprawl, either,” he said. “Compared to Houston, Phoenix, and Jacksonville, Seattle actually is quite dense. So we hope that our maps help inform both sides of the debate by providing a frame of reference in discussions about density.”

The original SpareFoot post notes that it only took into account Seattle density, and not the surrounding cities and communities. As locals know, there’s a lot of commuting that occurs around Puget Sound.

burlesque
SpareFoot put together this comparison of Seattle to other major cities across the globe. (SpareFoot).

MyNorthwest News

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

9 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

11 hours ago

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

12 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

13 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

13 hours ago

Image: A Tacoma teen was shot outside her Tacoma Hilltop area apartment over the weekend....

Heather Bosch

Estranged boyfriend suspected in Tacoma teen’s death turns himself in

We're learning more about the man who's accused of fatally shooting a teenager outside her Tacoma Hill Top area apartment over the weekend.

14 hours ago

Comparing Seattle density to NY, Boston, Paris and more