Cost of Living Comparison Between Costa Mesa, CA and Seattle, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Costa Mesa, CA and Seattle, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,022 per month in Costa Mesa, CA vs $3,836 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,693 per month in Costa Mesa, CA vs $5,763 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,365 per month in Costa Mesa, CA vs $7,691 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

Costa Mesa, CA costs about 5% more than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Costa Mesa, CA and Seattle, WA sit above the global median – Costa Mesa, CA by 193%, Seattle, WA by 179%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.29 $25.29

$24.68 $24.68

2.47%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.4 $99.4

$99.1 $99.1

0.28%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.59 $11.59

$15.09 $15.09

-23.19%

Cappuccino

$5.77 $5.77

$6.62 $6.62

-12.84%

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

$3.39 $3.39

$3.13 $3.13

8.31%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.65 $2.65

$2.98 $2.98

-11.07%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.13 $8.13

$8.12 $8.12

0.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.96 $8.96

$7.85 $7.85

14.14%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.45 $1.45

$1.17 $1.17

23.93%

White Bread (500g)

$4.50 $4.50

$5.20 $5.20

-13.46%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$6.40 $6.40

-31.09%

Eggs

$4.96 $4.96

$4.91 $4.91

1.02%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.67 $12.67

$21.46 $21.46

-40.96%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.41 $14.41

$18.58 $18.58

-22.44%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.20 $14.20

$23.05 $23.05

-38.39%

Apples (1kg)

$5.43 $5.43

$5.79 $5.79

-6.22%

Banana (1kg)

$2.21 $2.21

$1.88 $1.88

17.55%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$5.38 $5.38

-19.70%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.65 $6.65

$6.30 $6.30

5.56%

Potato (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$3.80 $3.80

14.47%

Onion (1kg)

$3.52 $3.52

$3.26 $3.26

7.98%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.05 $3.05

$2.87 $2.87

6.27%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

$2.71 $2.71

-17.71%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.68 $11.68

$14.15 $14.15

-17.46%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.92 $14.92

$15.07 $15.07

-1.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.10 $2.10

$4.36 $4.36

-51.83%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 $2.33

$5.75 $5.75

-59.48%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.01 $2.01

$3.06 $3.06

-34.31%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$70.2 $70.2

$110 $110

-36.16%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.97 $2.97

$2.57 $2.57

15.56%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.90 $1.90

$1.65 $1.65

15.15%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$36.43 $36.43

$29.88 $29.88

21.92%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.38 $1.38

-0.72%

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

$36.9K $36.9K

$36.4K $36.4K

1.19%

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

$25.6K $25.6K

$25.1K $25.1K

1.98%

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

$257 $257

$296 $296

-13.08%

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

$70.1 $70.1

$71.3 $71.3

-1.60%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.0 $72.0

$88.0 $88.0

-18.14%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.86 $39.86

$81.5 $81.5

-51.07%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.88 $11.88

$35.70 $35.70

-66.72%

Cinema Ticket

$13.88 $13.88

$18.33 $18.33

-24.28%

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

$1,789 $1,789

$3,067 $3,067

-41.67%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$37.2K $37.2K

$30.6K $30.6K

21.65%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$72.4 $72.4

$77.0 $77.0

-5.98%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.59 $45.59

$54.0 $54.0

-15.53%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81.3 $81.3

$128 $128

-36.33%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$128 $128

$165 $165

-22.62%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,680 $2,680

$2,418 $2,418

10.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,471 $2,471

$1,931 $1,931

27.94%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,161 $4,161

$4,756 $4,756

-12.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,846 $3,846

$3,584 $3,584

7.30%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,479 $9,479

$7,403 $7,403

28.04%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,162 $7,162

$5,056 $5,056

41.64%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,310 $6,310

$6,320 $6,320

-0.17%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.24

6.42

-2.80%

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

Last update for Costa Mesa, CA: August 31, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,680 in Costa Mesa, CA versus $2,418 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 0% higher in Seattle, WA, 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 $99.0 in Costa Mesa, CA versus $99.0 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $445 vs $554 – making Costa Mesa, CA 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

Costa Mesa, CA vs Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Costa Mesa, CA costs about 5% more than Seattle, WA, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,033 per month in Costa Mesa, CA and $5,754 in Seattle, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Interestingly, groceries are about 25% cheaper in Costa Mesa, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Costa Mesa, CA and $99.0 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 $4,022 in Costa Mesa, CA and $3,836 in Seattle, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Seattle, WA costs $3,836 versus $4,022 in Costa Mesa, CA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

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