You’ve probably noticed the high cost of ride shares and food delivery in The Emerald City. A recent study just confirmed just how steep it is here, ranking Seattle as the most expensive city in the country for Uber rides. The study looked at the average cost of a half-hour ride in every U.S. state as well as 100 major cities.
Read on for all the findings!
In 2024, the average cost of an Uber ride in the U.S. rose by 7.2 percent. According to the study, Seattle is the country’s most expensive city for an Uber ride at $60.00 for a 30-minute trip. One possible explanation for this could be Seattle’s “Fare Share” ordinance. Passed in 2020, the ordinance ensures that ride share drivers are paid a living wage.
You can compare Seattle’s high Uber pricing to the cities ranked as the cheapest. Indianapolis and Fort Worth tied for the cheapest city for Uber trips. A 30-minute trip in those cities cost $28.33, half the cost of a trip in the same amount of time in Seattle.
In terms of states, Washington is the most expensive while Indiana has the cheapest average ride. The study also found that Uber drivers in Indiana have the third-best salary when compared to the local cost of living. The average Uber ride in Washington ($53.46) costs 1.76 times as much as in Indiana ($30.35).
In early 2025, Washington legislators introduced a proposal to limit surge pricing. The proposal was withdrawn before reaching the senate. The issue may resurface in the Washington legislature before the 2026 World Cup.
You can read the entire report on NetCredit.