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 $4,801 per month in Key West, FL vs $3,565 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $6,916 per month in Key West, FL vs $5,605 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,031 per month in Key West, FL vs $7,645 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

Key West, FL costs about 35% 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 167%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.36 $22.36

$24.79 $24.79

-9.80%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$85.3 $85.3

$119 $119

-28.28%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.17 $12.17

$14.15 $14.15

-13.99%

Cappuccino

$4.40 $4.40

$5.71 $5.71

-22.94%

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

$2.51 $2.51

$2.93 $2.93

-14.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.16 $2.16

$2.52 $2.52

-14.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.13 $6.13

$7.89 $7.89

-22.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.57 $7.57

$8.05 $8.05

-5.96%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 $1.10

$1.36 $1.36

-19.12%

White Bread (500g)

$3.66 $3.66

$5.07 $5.07

-27.81%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.00 $4.00

$5.25 $5.25

-23.81%

Eggs

$4.81 $4.81

$6.91 $6.91

-30.39%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.42 $11.42

$24.95 $24.95

-54.23%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.87 $13.87

$15.75 $15.75

-11.94%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$28.00 $28.00

$20.72 $20.72

35.14%

Apples (1kg)

$4.85 $4.85

$6.19 $6.19

-21.65%

Banana (1kg)

$1.84 $1.84

$2.79 $2.79

-34.05%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.29 $4.29

$5.52 $5.52

-22.28%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.32 $6.32

$6.42 $6.42

-1.56%

Potato (1kg)

$6.12 $6.12

$3.16 $3.16

93.67%

Onion (1kg)

$8.70 $8.70

$3.89 $3.89

123.65%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.44 $3.44

$2.70 $2.70

27.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.21 $3.21

$2.53 $2.53

26.88%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.85 $7.85

$11.37 $11.37

-30.96%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.91 $13.91

$15.67 $15.67

-11.23%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.93 $1.93

$2.87 $2.87

-32.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$4.26 $4.26

-46.95%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.92 $3.92

$2.71 $2.71

44.65%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$98.8 $98.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.06 $4.06

$2.58 $2.58

57.36%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 $1.58

$1.63 $1.63

-3.07%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.06 $29.06

$29.68 $29.68

-2.09%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$1.14 $1.14

-23.68%

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

$25.1K $25.1K

$32.8K $32.8K

-23.44%

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

$24.0K $24.0K

$26.4K $26.4K

-9.18%

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

$243 $243

$264 $264

-7.79%

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

$49.07 $49.07

$61.6 $61.6

-20.30%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.6 $67.6

$75.5 $75.5

-10.46%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.3 $79.3

$78.0 $78.0

1.69%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.28 $40.28

Cinema Ticket

$13.93 $13.93

$16.11 $16.11

-13.53%

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

$1,238 $1,238

$2,212 $2,212

-44.01%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.7K $23.7K

$29.0K $29.0K

-18.34%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.62 $31.62

$69.3 $69.3

-54.39%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.17 $42.17

$53.8 $53.8

-21.56%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$64.7 $64.7

$119 $119

-45.74%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$60.8 $60.8

$142 $142

-57.09%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,474 $3,474

$2,357 $2,357

47.37%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,386 $3,386

$1,834 $1,834

84.60%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$7,050 $7,050

$4,686 $4,686

50.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$6,055 $6,055

$3,571 $3,571

69.54%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,948 $9,948

$7,539 $7,539

31.95%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$9,891 $9,891

$5,046 $5,046

96.01%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,008 $6,008

$6,473 $6,473

-7.19%

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: July 12, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,474 in Key West, FL versus $2,357 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 8% 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 $85.0 in Key West, FL versus $119 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $485 vs $543 – 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 35% 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 $7,202 per month in Key West, FL and $5,347 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 $85.0 in Key West, FL and $119 in Seattle, WA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 12% 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 $4,801 in Key West, FL and $3,565 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.