Cost of Living Comparison Between Key West, FL and Seattle, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Key West, FL and Seattle, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,812 per month in Key West, FL vs $3,598 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $6,960 per month in Key West, FL vs $5,539 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,109 per month in Key West, FL vs $7,479 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

Key West, FL costs about 34% more than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Key West, FL and Seattle, WA sit above the global median – Key West, FL by 259%, Seattle, WA by 168%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.88 $22.88

$24.80 $24.80

-7.74%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$86.3 $86.3

$118 $118

-26.65%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.14 $12.14

$13.77 $13.77

-11.84%

Cappuccino

$4.42 $4.42

$5.71 $5.71

-22.59%

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

$2.51 $2.51

$3.05 $3.05

-17.70%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 $2.08

$2.50 $2.50

-16.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.92 $5.92

$7.83 $7.83

-24.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.43 $7.43

$7.88 $7.88

-5.71%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 $1.10

$1.35 $1.35

-18.52%

White Bread (500g)

$3.71 $3.71

$5.06 $5.06

-26.68%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.86 $3.86

$5.39 $5.39

-28.39%

Eggs

$4.77 $4.77

$6.85 $6.85

-30.36%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.36 $11.36

$25.07 $25.07

-54.69%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.58 $13.58

$15.85 $15.85

-14.32%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$27.84 $27.84

$20.59 $20.59

35.21%

Apples (1kg)

$5.00 $5.00

$6.14 $6.14

-18.57%

Banana (1kg)

$1.79 $1.79

$2.82 $2.82

-36.52%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.54 $4.54

$5.51 $5.51

-17.60%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.32 $6.32

$6.74 $6.74

-6.23%

Potato (1kg)

$6.07 $6.07

$3.15 $3.15

92.70%

Onion (1kg)

$8.60 $8.60

$3.82 $3.82

125.13%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.54 $3.54

$2.69 $2.69

31.60%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.16 $3.16

$2.64 $2.64

19.70%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.80 $7.80

$11.65 $11.65

-33.05%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.16 $14.16

$15.69 $15.69

-9.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$2.93 $2.93

-32.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 $2.27

$4.24 $4.24

-46.46%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.91 $3.91

$2.82 $2.82

38.65%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$100 $100

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.10 $4.10

$2.60 $2.60

57.69%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.52 $1.52

$1.72 $1.72

-11.63%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.71 $29.71

$30.22 $30.22

-1.69%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.82 $0.82

$1.19 $1.19

-31.09%

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

$25.1K $25.1K

$32.7K $32.7K

-23.13%

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

$23.9K $23.9K

$26.1K $26.1K

-8.43%

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

$244 $244

$263 $263

-6.89%

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

$48.41 $48.41

$60.9 $60.9

-20.48%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$68.7 $68.7

$75.9 $75.9

-9.53%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.4 $79.4

$79.6 $79.6

-0.26%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$39.89 $39.89

Cinema Ticket

$13.89 $13.89

$16.27 $16.27

-14.63%

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

$1,252 $1,252

$2,281 $2,281

-45.12%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.2K $23.2K

$29.3K $29.3K

-20.91%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.88 $31.88

$68.6 $68.6

-53.53%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$41.43 $41.43

$52.0 $52.0

-20.27%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$65.4 $65.4

$116 $116

-43.52%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$61.2 $61.2

$143 $143

-57.31%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,435 $3,435

$2,336 $2,336

47.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,425 $3,425

$1,863 $1,863

83.87%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$7,149 $7,149

$4,628 $4,628

54.46%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,999 $5,999

$3,477 $3,477

72.54%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,876 $9,876

$7,766 $7,766

27.17%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$9,710 $9,710

$5,232 $5,232

85.58%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,852 $5,852

$6,617 $6,617

-11.55%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

6.42

-0.47%

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

Last update for Key West, FL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,435 in Key West, FL versus $2,336 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 13% 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 $86.0 in Key West, FL versus $118 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $484 vs $547 – making Key West, FL 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

Key West, FL vs Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Key West, FL costs about 34% more than Seattle, WA, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,217 per month in Key West, FL and $5,397 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $86.0 in Key West, FL and $118 in Seattle, WA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 13% cheaper in Key West, FL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,812 in Key West, FL and $3,598 in Seattle, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Seattle, WA – 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 Seattle, WA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Key West, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.