Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Malden, MA and Seattle, WA

For one person, living is cheaper in Malden, MA: $3,435 a month against $3,785 in Seattle, WA, rent and utilities included – about $4,200 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

167

Cost of Living Index in Malden, MA
Learn more

Malden, MA Living Index
184

Cost of Living Index in Seattle, WA
Learn more

Seattle, WA Living Index

Jump to prices

Malden, MA

🇺🇸 United States

$3,435

/mo nomad

Seattle, WA

🇺🇸 United States

$3,785

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Malden, MA and in Seattle, WA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Malden, MA and in Seattle, WA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,435 per month in Malden, MA vs $3,785 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

Malden, MA $3,435
Seattle, WA $3,785

A couple spends around $4,750 per month in Malden, MA vs $5,688 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

Malden, MA $4,750
Seattle, WA $5,688

A family of three spends $6,065 per month in Malden, MA vs $7,592 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

Malden, MA $6,065
Seattle, WA $7,592

Malden, MA is about 9% cheaper than Seattle, WA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Malden, MA and Seattle, WA sit above the global median – Malden, MA by 152%, Seattle, WA by 178%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.65 $19.65

$25.30 $25.30

-22.33%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$95.0 $95.0

$101 $101

-5.90%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.72 $13.72

$14.76 $14.76

-7.05%

Cappuccino

$5.31 $5.31

$6.50 $6.50

-18.31%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$3.21 $3.21

-7.48%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

$3.14 $3.14

-28.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.68 $5.68

$7.97 $7.97

-28.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.10 $8.10

$8.13 $8.13

-0.37%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$1.17 $1.17

6.84%

White Bread (500g)

$3.90 $3.90

$5.30 $5.30

-26.42%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.49 $5.49

$6.40 $6.40

-14.22%

Eggs

$4.77 $4.77

$5.06 $5.06

-5.73%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.32 $12.32

$18.71 $18.71

-34.15%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.03 $14.03

$18.72 $18.72

-25.05%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.57 $17.57

$22.88 $22.88

-23.21%

Apples (1kg)

$6.63 $6.63

$6.06 $6.06

9.41%

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.95 $1.95

-11.79%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.52 $5.52

$5.51 $5.51

0.18%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$6.52 $6.52

-15.64%

Potato (1kg)

$4.42 $4.42

$3.49 $3.49

26.65%

Onion (1kg)

$1.89 $1.89

$3.29 $3.29

-42.55%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.59 $2.59

$2.80 $2.80

-7.50%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

$2.58 $2.58

-13.57%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.06 $13.06

$12.49 $12.49

4.56%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.43 $13.43

$14.87 $14.87

-9.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.17 $2.17

$4.19 $4.19

-48.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.40 $4.40

$5.80 $5.80

-24.14%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$3.05 $3.05

-16.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$88.3 $88.3

$106 $106

-16.67%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.58 $2.58

-1.94%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.79 $1.79

$1.64 $1.64

9.15%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.47 $27.47

$30.12 $30.12

-8.80%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.41 $1.41

-22.70%

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

$27.9K $27.9K

$36.8K $36.8K

-24.09%

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

$26.7K $26.7K

$26.6K $26.6K

0.58%

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

$247 $247

$308 $308

-19.79%

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

$54.2 $54.2

$69.2 $69.2

-21.61%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$86.1 $86.1

0.10%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.66 $34.66

$76.5 $76.5

-54.66%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.50 $35.50

Cinema Ticket

$15.85 $15.85

$18.02 $18.02

-12.04%

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

$1,848 $1,848

$2,746 $2,746

-32.68%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.4K $29.4K

$30.6K $30.6K

-3.85%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.0 $56.0

$79.2 $79.2

-29.25%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.57 $37.57

$54.3 $54.3

-30.82%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.5 $79.5

$127 $127

-37.33%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.9 $99.9

$159 $159

-37.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,422 $2,422

$2,508 $2,508

-3.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,975 $1,975

$1,938 $1,938

1.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,534 $3,534

$5,117 $5,117

-30.94%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,834 $2,834

$3,542 $3,542

-19.99%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,374 $7,374

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,002 $5,002

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,644 $4,644

$6,470 $6,470

-28.21%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.64

6.89

-3.63%

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

Last update for Malden, MA: October 25, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Malden, MA

$2K 57.5%

Seattle, WA

$1.9K 51.2% 1.8% $36

Groceries & Markets

Malden, MA

$446 13%

Seattle, WA

$547 14.5% 22.6% $101

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Malden, MA

$387 11.3%

Seattle, WA

$463 12.2% 19.6% $76

Eating Out

Malden, MA

$327 9.5%

Seattle, WA

$406 10.7% 24.1% $79

Clothing & Footwear

Malden, MA

$123 3.6%

Seattle, WA

$189 5% 53.6% $66

Getting Around

Malden, MA

$110 3.2%

Seattle, WA

$129 3.4% 17.3% $19

Sport & Entertainment

Malden, MA

$66 1.9%

Seattle, WA

$112 3% 69.5% $46

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,422 in Malden, MA versus $2,508 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 39% higher in Seattle, WA. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $95 in Malden, MA versus $101 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $446 vs $547 – making Malden, MA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Malden, MA

🇺🇸 Seattle, WA

🕒 Local time

08:54 8:54 AM

05:54 5:54 AM

3 h behind Malden, MA

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

59,450

737,015

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.896 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Malden, MA Seattle, WA 4,000 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight

From you

Malden, MA
Seattle, WA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

Malden, MA vs Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Seattle, WA is pricier by about 10%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,152 per month in Malden, MA and $5,677 in Seattle, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

A central 1-bedroom goes for about $2,422 in Malden, MA and $2,508 in Seattle, WA. The gap holds across neighborhoods – outer areas show a similar spread, just at lower price points.

Public transport costs about 17% less in Malden, MA. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $1,848 per month in Malden, MA and $2,746 in Seattle, WA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,435 in Malden, MA and $3,785 in Seattle, WA. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

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