Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Atlantic City, NJ and Seattle, WA

For one person, living is cheaper in Atlantic City, NJ: $2,821 a month against $3,782 in Seattle, WA, rent and utilities included – about $11,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Atlantic City, NJ
🇺🇸 United States
$2,821
/mo nomad
Seattle, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,782
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Atlantic City, NJ and in Seattle, WA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Atlantic City, NJ and in Seattle, WA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,821 in Atlantic City, NJ versus $3,782 in Seattle, WA.

  • Atlantic City, NJ $2,821
  • Seattle, WA $3,782

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,228 in Atlantic City, NJ versus $5,636 in Seattle, WA.

  • Atlantic City, NJ $4,228
  • Seattle, WA $5,636

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,635 in Atlantic City, NJ versus $7,489 in Seattle, WA.

  • Atlantic City, NJ $5,635
  • Seattle, WA $7,489

Living in Atlantic City, NJ costs roughly 25% less than in Seattle, WA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Atlantic City, NJ 108% above, Seattle, WA 179% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Atlantic City, NJ
Seattle, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.73 $19.73
$24.52 $24.52
-19.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$98.1 $98.1
$98.2 $98.2
-0.10%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.30 $11.30
$14.79 $14.79
-23.60%
Cappuccino
$5.43 $5.43
$6.52 $6.52
-16.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28 $2.28
$3.23 $3.23
-29.41%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 $2.01
$3.17 $3.17
-36.59%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.09 $6.09
$7.85 $7.85
-22.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.78 $8.78
$8.03 $8.03
9.34%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Atlantic City, NJ
Seattle, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.24 $1.24
$1.21 $1.21
2.48%
White Bread (500g)
$3.38 $3.38
$5.14 $5.14
-34.24%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.27 $7.27
$6.05 $6.05
20.17%
Eggs
$4.21 $4.21
$4.88 $4.88
-13.73%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.18 $11.18
$19.18 $19.18
-41.71%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.67 $16.67
$18.91 $18.91
-11.85%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.14 $20.14
$23.31 $23.31
-13.60%
Apples (1kg)
$7.55 $7.55
$5.99 $5.99
26.04%
Banana (1kg)
$3.69 $3.69
$1.93 $1.93
91.19%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.41 $5.41
$5.25 $5.25
3.05%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.86 $5.86
$6.57 $6.57
-10.81%
Potato (1kg)
$3.98 $3.98
$3.62 $3.62
9.94%
Onion (1kg)
$4.75 $4.75
$3.31 $3.31
43.50%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.54 $2.54
$2.78 $2.78
-8.63%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.45 $2.45
$2.51 $2.51
-2.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.24 $14.24
$12.18 $12.18
16.91%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.27 $13.27
$14.83 $14.83
-10.52%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$4.22 $4.22
-37.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.38 $3.38
$5.77 $5.77
-41.42%
🚌 Getting Around
Atlantic City, NJ
Seattle, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.04 $3.04
$2.95 $2.95
3.05%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$88.3 $88.3
$106 $106
-16.92%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.99 $2.99
$2.65 $2.65
12.83%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.11 $2.11
$1.72 $1.72
22.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$42.73 $42.73
$29.72 $29.72
43.78%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.49 $1.49
-35.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.4K $20.4K
$35.9K $35.9K
-43.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.8K $24.8K
$26.2K $26.2K
-5.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Atlantic City, NJ
Seattle, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$250 $250
$302 $302
-17.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.2 $61.2
$70.1 $70.1
-12.69%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.0 $61.0
$85.3 $85.3
-28.42%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Atlantic City, NJ
Seattle, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.59 $29.59
$77.8 $77.8
-61.99%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$50.1 $50.1
$34.58 $34.58
44.85%
Cinema Ticket
$16.78 $16.78
$17.84 $17.84
-5.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Atlantic City, NJ
Seattle, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$503 $503
$2,973 $2,973
-83.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,031 $7,031
$31.3K $31.3K
-77.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Atlantic City, NJ
Seattle, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.5 $70.5
$76.6 $76.6
-7.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.78 $31.78
$54.1 $54.1
-41.20%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$122 $122
$128 $128
-5.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120 $120
$164 $164
-26.88%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Atlantic City, NJ
Seattle, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,737 $1,737
$2,445 $2,445
-28.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,307 $1,307
$1,947 $1,947
-32.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,320 $2,320
$4,744 $4,744
-51.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,175 $2,175
$3,469 $3,469
-37.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,255 $4,255
$7,367 $7,367
-42.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,212 $4,212
$5,127 $5,127
-17.84%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Atlantic City, NJ
Seattle, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,017 $4,017
$6,506 $6,506
-38.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.67
6.89
-3.19%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Atlantic City, NJ: October 20, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Atlantic City, NJ
$1.3K
Seattle, WA
$1.9K 48.9% $639
Groceries & Markets
Atlantic City, NJ
$488
Seattle, WA
$546 11.9% $58
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Atlantic City, NJ
$372
Seattle, WA
$457 22.8% $85
Eating Out
Atlantic City, NJ
$322
Seattle, WA
$400 24.1% $78
Clothing & Footwear
Atlantic City, NJ
$155
Seattle, WA
$190 22.9% $36
Getting Around
Atlantic City, NJ
$114
Seattle, WA
$129 13.5% $15
Sport & Entertainment
Atlantic City, NJ
$63
Seattle, WA
$114 79.8% $50

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,737 in Atlantic City, NJ and $2,445 in Seattle, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Seattle, WA pays 62% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $98.0 in Atlantic City, NJ vs $98.0 in Seattle, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $488 vs $546 per month, with Atlantic City, NJ cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Atlantic City, NJ
🇺🇸 Seattle, WA
🕒 Local time
23:07 11:07 PM
20:07 8:07 PM
3 h behind Atlantic City, NJ
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
39,958
737,015
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Atlantic City, NJ Seattle, WA 3,910 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Atlantic City, NJ
  • Seattle, WA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Atlantic City, NJ vs Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Atlantic City, NJ and in Seattle, WA?
Atlantic City, NJ and Seattle, WA differ by about 34% in total monthly costs ($2,821 vs $3,782 including rent). Atlantic City, NJ is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 62% lower in Seattle, WA. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Atlantic City, NJ and in Seattle, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,737 in Atlantic City, NJ versus $2,445 in Seattle, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 12% higher in Seattle, WA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Atlantic City, NJ – a meal for two runs $98.0 versus $98.0 in Seattle, WA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Atlantic City, NJ is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Atlantic City, NJ and Seattle, WA?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Atlantic City, NJ or Seattle, WA?
Expats usually find Atlantic City, NJ gentler on the wallet – expenses run 34% less than in Seattle, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Atlantic City, NJ vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?