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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,544 per month in California, MD vs $3,661 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,683 per month in California, MD vs $5,544 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,821 per month in California, MD vs $7,427 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

California, MD is about 31% cheaper than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both California, MD and Seattle, WA sit above the global median – California, MD by 90%, Seattle, WA by 173%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.97 $8.97

$25.32 $25.32

-64.57%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.6 $80.6

$121 $121

-33.47%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.08 $10.08

$14.11 $14.11

-28.56%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$5.82 $5.82

-2.06%

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

$2.75 $2.75

$2.98 $2.98

-7.72%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.40 $2.40

-2.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.35 $5.35

$7.73 $7.73

-30.79%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.07 $7.07

$7.87 $7.87

-10.17%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.91 $0.91

$1.34 $1.34

-32.09%

White Bread (500g)

$3.06 $3.06

$4.91 $4.91

-37.68%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.16 $2.16

$5.14 $5.14

-57.98%

Eggs

$5.05 $5.05

$6.57 $6.57

-23.14%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.19 $13.19

$24.64 $24.64

-46.47%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.40 $10.40

$15.88 $15.88

-34.51%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.18 $11.18

$20.14 $20.14

-44.49%

Apples (1kg)

$4.40 $4.40

$6.27 $6.27

-29.82%

Banana (1kg)

$1.84 $1.84

$2.86 $2.86

-35.66%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.45 $4.45

$5.29 $5.29

-15.88%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.66 $6.66

$6.39 $6.39

4.23%

Potato (1kg)

$3.41 $3.41

$3.21 $3.21

6.23%

Onion (1kg)

$2.67 $2.67

$3.83 $3.83

-30.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.74 $2.74

-25.18%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$2.58 $2.58

-22.87%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.14 $9.14

$11.64 $11.64

-21.48%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.88 $13.88

$15.77 $15.77

-11.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$2.88 $2.88

-39.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.89 $4.89

$4.39 $4.39

11.39%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.09 $2.09

$2.76 $2.76

-24.28%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$81.5 $81.5

$98.8 $98.8

-17.54%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.92 $3.92

$2.67 $2.67

46.82%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.33 $1.33

$1.70 $1.70

-21.76%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.41 $29.41

$29.74 $29.74

-1.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$1.14 $1.14

-22.81%

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

$29.0K $29.0K

$32.9K $32.9K

-11.84%

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

$23.6K $23.6K

$26.0K $26.0K

-9.17%

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

$208 $208

$268 $268

-22.54%

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

$42.75 $42.75

$60.9 $60.9

-29.84%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.2 $70.2

$76.2 $76.2

-7.85%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.74 $39.74

$78.1 $78.1

-49.08%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.95 $10.95

$40.15 $40.15

-72.73%

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$15.82 $15.82

-6.45%

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

$2,200 $2,200

$2,252 $2,252

-2.34%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.1K $24.1K

$29.7K $29.7K

-18.88%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 $54.7

$70.8 $70.8

-22.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.26 $48.26

$53.1 $53.1

-9.18%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$117 $117

-17.88%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$136 $136

$139 $139

-1.74%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,732 $1,732

$2,310 $2,310

-25.00%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,300 $1,300

$1,849 $1,849

-29.72%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,427 $2,427

$4,739 $4,739

-48.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,104 $2,104

$3,556 $3,556

-40.83%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,848 $6,848

$7,775 $7,775

-11.92%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,224 $6,224

$5,351 $5,351

16.33%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,923 $6,923

$6,575 $6,575

5.30%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.48

6.42

0.93%

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

Last update for California, MD: April 20, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,732 in California, MD versus $2,310 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 5% higher in California, 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 $81 in California, MD versus $121 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $372 vs $539 – making California, MD the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

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

Yes – Seattle, WA is pricier by about 44%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,816 per month in California, MD and $5,491 in Seattle, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in California, MD, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 45% more in Seattle, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in California, MD and $121 in Seattle, WA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,544 in California, MD and $3,661 in Seattle, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

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

If budget matters most, go with California, MD. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Seattle, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.