Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Bethesda, MD and Seattle, WA

For one person, living is cheaper in Bethesda, MD: $3,184 a month against $3,785 in Seattle, WA, rent and utilities included – about $7,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

152

Cost of Living Index in Bethesda, MD
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Bethesda, MD Living Index
184

Cost of Living Index in Seattle, WA
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Seattle, WA Living Index

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Bethesda, MD

🇺🇸 United States

$3,184

/mo nomad

Seattle, WA

🇺🇸 United States

$3,785

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Bethesda, MD 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 Bethesda, MD and in Seattle, WA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,184 per month in Bethesda, MD vs $3,785 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

Bethesda, MD $3,184
Seattle, WA $3,785

A couple spends around $4,988 per month in Bethesda, MD vs $5,688 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

Bethesda, MD $4,988
Seattle, WA $5,688

A family of three spends $6,792 per month in Bethesda, MD vs $7,592 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

Bethesda, MD $6,792
Seattle, WA $7,592

Bethesda, MD is about 16% cheaper than Seattle, WA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Bethesda, MD and Seattle, WA sit above the global median – Bethesda, MD by 134%, Seattle, WA by 178%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.45 $22.45

$25.30 $25.30

-11.26%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.79 $10.79

$14.76 $14.76

-26.90%

Cappuccino

$5.39 $5.39

$6.50 $6.50

-17.08%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.95 $2.95

$3.21 $3.21

-8.10%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$3.14 $3.14

-22.93%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.07 $7.07

$7.97 $7.97

-11.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.77 $8.77

$8.13 $8.13

7.87%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.21 $1.21

$1.17 $1.17

3.42%

White Bread (500g)

$4.18 $4.18

$5.30 $5.30

-21.13%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.94 $3.94

$6.40 $6.40

-38.44%

Eggs

$4.59 $4.59

$5.06 $5.06

-9.29%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.66 $16.66

$18.71 $18.71

-10.96%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.83 $15.83

$18.72 $18.72

-15.44%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$23.19 $23.19

$22.88 $22.88

1.35%

Apples (1kg)

$5.70 $5.70

$6.06 $6.06

-5.94%

Banana (1kg)

$1.35 $1.35

$1.95 $1.95

-30.77%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.21 $4.21

$5.51 $5.51

-23.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.16 $4.16

$6.52 $6.52

-36.20%

Potato (1kg)

$2.23 $2.23

$3.49 $3.49

-36.10%

Onion (1kg)

$2.61 $2.61

$3.29 $3.29

-20.67%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.80 $2.80

-15.71%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.58 $2.58

-5.04%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.45 $9.45

$12.49 $12.49

-24.34%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.13 $18.13

$14.87 $14.87

21.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 $1.70

$4.19 $4.19

-59.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 $2.91

$5.80 $5.80

-49.83%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.02 $3.02

$3.05 $3.05

-0.98%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$102 $102

$106 $106

-4.03%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.99 $3.99

$2.58 $2.58

54.65%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.27 $1.27

$1.64 $1.64

-22.56%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.51 $24.51

$30.12 $30.12

-18.63%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.91 $0.91

$1.41 $1.41

-35.46%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23.0K $23.0K

$36.8K $36.8K

-37.54%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.0K $24.0K

$26.6K $26.6K

-9.75%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$162 $162

$308 $308

-47.39%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$38.86 $38.86

$69.2 $69.2

-43.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$86.1 $86.1

-29.03%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$106 $106

$76.5 $76.5

38.26%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$30.35 $30.35

$35.50 $35.50

-14.51%

Cinema Ticket

$16.29 $16.29

$18.02 $18.02

-9.60%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,830 $1,830

$2,746 $2,746

-33.37%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$35.4K $35.4K

$30.6K $30.6K

15.63%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.3 $54.3

$79.2 $79.2

-31.43%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.2 $56.2

$54.3 $54.3

3.44%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 $102

$127 $127

-19.68%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$152 $152

$159 $159

-4.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,260 $2,260

$2,508 $2,508

-9.88%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,683 $1,683

$1,938 $1,938

-13.16%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,962 $3,962

$5,117 $5,117

-22.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,285 $3,285

$3,542 $3,542

-7.25%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,989 $5,989

$7,374 $7,374

-18.79%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,359 $5,359

$5,002 $5,002

7.13%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$8,610 $8,610

$6,470 $6,470

33.08%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.79

6.89

-1.45%

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

Last update for Bethesda, MD: October 25, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Bethesda, MD

$1.7K 52.9%

Seattle, WA

$1.9K 51.2% 15.2% $255

Groceries & Markets

Bethesda, MD

$462 14.5%

Seattle, WA

$547 14.5% 18.3% $85

Eating Out

Bethesda, MD

$351 11%

Seattle, WA

$406 10.7% 15.8% $55

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Bethesda, MD

$262 8.2%

Seattle, WA

$463 12.2% 76.8% $201

Clothing & Footwear

Bethesda, MD

$164 5.1%

Seattle, WA

$189 5% 15.2% $25

Sport & Entertainment

Bethesda, MD

$138 4.3%

Seattle, WA

$112 3% 18.6% $26

Getting Around

Bethesda, MD

$124 3.9%

Seattle, WA

$129 3.4% 3.9% $4.9

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,260 in Bethesda, MD versus $2,508 in Seattle, WA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 33% higher in Bethesda, MD, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Bethesda, MD versus $101 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $462 vs $547 – making Bethesda, MD the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Bethesda, MD

🇺🇸 Seattle, WA

🕒 Local time

01:14 1:14 AM

22:14 10:14 PM

3 h behind Bethesda, MD

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

60,858

737,015

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.896 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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Between locations

Bethesda, MD Seattle, WA 3,730 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight

From you

Bethesda, MD
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

Bethesda, MD vs Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Seattle, WA is pricier by about 19%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,777 per month in Bethesda, MD and $5,677 in Seattle, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bethesda, MD, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $2,260 there versus $2,508 in Seattle, WA.

Public transport costs about 4% less in Bethesda, MD. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Groceries cost about 18% more in Seattle, WA, though the gap depends on what you buy.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,184 in Bethesda, MD and $3,785 in Seattle, WA. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Bethesda, MD – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.