Cost of Living Comparison Between Lewiston, ID and Seattle, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Lewiston, ID and Seattle, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,593 in Lewiston, ID versus $3,604 in Seattle, WA.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,757 in Lewiston, ID versus $5,549 in Seattle, WA.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,922 in Lewiston, ID versus $7,494 in Seattle, WA.

Living in Lewiston, ID costs roughly 28% less than in Seattle, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lewiston, ID 94% above, Seattle, WA 170% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lewiston, ID
Seattle, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.11 $19.11
$24.78 $24.78
-22.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.7 $75.7
$122 $122
-37.78%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.21 $11.21
$14.02 $14.02
-20.04%
Cappuccino
$5.02 $5.02
$5.56 $5.56
-9.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51 $2.51
$3.05 $3.05
-17.70%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02 $2.02
$2.39 $2.39
-15.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.12 $6.12
$7.94 $7.94
-22.92%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.04 $7.04
$8.09 $8.09
-12.98%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lewiston, ID
Seattle, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.05 $1.05
$1.38 $1.38
-23.91%
White Bread (500g)
$3.49 $3.49
$4.95 $4.95
-29.49%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.29 $4.29
$5.35 $5.35
-19.81%
Eggs
$4.11 $4.11
$6.59 $6.59
-37.63%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.06 $12.06
$24.87 $24.87
-51.51%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.65 $11.65
$15.92 $15.92
-26.82%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.38 $15.38
$20.21 $20.21
-23.90%
Apples (1kg)
$5.03 $5.03
$6.17 $6.17
-18.48%
Banana (1kg)
$1.62 $1.62
$2.76 $2.76
-41.30%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.13 $4.13
$5.38 $5.38
-23.23%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.69 $4.69
$6.52 $6.52
-28.07%
Potato (1kg)
$2.92 $2.92
$3.21 $3.21
-9.03%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$3.75 $3.75
-26.40%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.02 $2.02
$2.84 $2.84
-28.87%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.09 $2.09
$2.62 $2.62
-20.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.45 $9.45
$11.69 $11.69
-19.16%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.53 $14.53
$15.46 $15.46
-6.02%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 $1.76
$2.83 $2.83
-37.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26 $3.26
$4.25 $4.25
-23.29%
🚌 Getting Around
Lewiston, ID
Seattle, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.99 $1.99
$2.76 $2.76
-27.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$97.8 $97.8
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.57 $3.57
$2.60 $2.60
37.31%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.66 $1.66
$1.65 $1.65
0.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.83 $28.83
$29.77 $29.77
-3.16%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 $0.84
$1.14 $1.14
-26.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.7K $29.7K
$33.1K $33.1K
-10.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$25.9K $25.9K
-0.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lewiston, ID
Seattle, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$185 $185
$270 $270
-31.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.6 $53.6
$59.7 $59.7
-10.22%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.0 $69.0
$74.3 $74.3
-7.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lewiston, ID
Seattle, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.55 $42.55
$77.7 $77.7
-45.25%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$41.03 $41.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.28 $13.28
$15.78 $15.78
-15.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lewiston, ID
Seattle, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,314 $1,314
$2,279 $2,279
-42.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.2K $23.2K
$29.8K $29.8K
-22.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lewiston, ID
Seattle, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.9 $51.9
$69.8 $69.8
-25.68%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.79 $39.79
$52.3 $52.3
-23.86%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.3 $87.3
$117 $117
-25.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$143 $143
-20.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lewiston, ID
Seattle, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,627 $1,627
$2,332 $2,332
-30.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,367 $1,367
$1,899 $1,899
-28.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,637 $2,637
$4,756 $4,756
-44.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,195 $2,195
$3,472 $3,472
-36.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,144 $3,144
$7,709 $7,709
-59.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,266 $2,266
$4,983 $4,983
-54.52%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lewiston, ID
Seattle, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,620 $2,620
$6,641 $6,641
-60.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
6.42
1.40%

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

Last update for Lewiston, ID: July 21, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: July 19, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,627 in Lewiston, ID and $2,332 in Seattle, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Seattle, WA pays 153% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $76.0 in Lewiston, ID vs $122 in Seattle, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $386 vs $541 per month, with Lewiston, ID cheaper across the board.

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
Lewiston, ID vs Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lewiston, ID and in Seattle, WA?
Lewiston, ID and Seattle, WA differ by about 39% in total monthly costs ($2,593 vs $3,604 including rent). Lewiston, ID is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 153% lower in Seattle, WA. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Lewiston, ID and in Seattle, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,627 in Lewiston, ID versus $2,332 in Seattle, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 40% higher in Seattle, WA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lewiston, ID or Seattle, WA?
All in, you'll spend $2,593 per month in Lewiston, ID versus $3,604 in Seattle, WA – a 39% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Lewiston, ID is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Lewiston, ID and Seattle, WA?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Lewiston, ID or Seattle, WA?
Expats usually find Lewiston, ID gentler on the wallet – expenses run 39% less than in Seattle, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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