Cost of Living Comparison Between Montpelier, VT and Seattle, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Montpelier, VT and Seattle, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,576 per month in Montpelier, VT vs $3,583 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,910 per month in Montpelier, VT vs $5,632 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,244 per month in Montpelier, VT vs $7,681 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

Montpelier, VT is about 28% cheaper than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Montpelier, VT and Seattle, WA sit above the global median – Montpelier, VT by 92%, Seattle, WA by 168%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Montpelier, VT
Seattle, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.40 $20.40
$24.97 $24.97
-18.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.1 $80.1
$119 $119
-32.93%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.43 $10.43
$13.90 $13.90
-24.96%
Cappuccino
$5.12 $5.12
$5.56 $5.56
-7.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27 $2.27
$3.06 $3.06
-25.82%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 $2.04
$2.47 $2.47
-17.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.09 $8.09
$7.96 $7.96
1.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.10 $6.10
$8.01 $8.01
-23.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Montpelier, VT
Seattle, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.18 $1.18
$1.34 $1.34
-11.94%
White Bread (500g)
$4.20 $4.20
$5.05 $5.05
-16.83%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.38 $6.38
$5.36 $5.36
19.03%
Eggs
$4.79 $4.79
$6.59 $6.59
-27.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.62 $16.62
$25.31 $25.31
-34.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.63 $13.63
$16.19 $16.19
-15.81%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.94 $20.94
$20.30 $20.30
3.15%
Apples (1kg)
$5.73 $5.73
$5.97 $5.97
-4.02%
Banana (1kg)
$1.90 $1.90
$2.74 $2.74
-30.66%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.52 $6.52
$5.36 $5.36
21.64%
Tomato (1kg)
$7.61 $7.61
$6.61 $6.61
15.13%
Potato (1kg)
$4.30 $4.30
$3.25 $3.25
32.31%
Onion (1kg)
$3.70 $3.70
$3.79 $3.79
-2.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.75 $2.75
$2.73 $2.73
0.73%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.53 $2.53
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.22 $9.22
$11.31 $11.31
-18.48%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.22 $12.22
$16.28 $16.28
-24.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.80 $2.80
$2.85 $2.85
-1.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.43 $5.43
$4.16 $4.16
30.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Montpelier, VT
Seattle, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.04 $2.04
$2.69 $2.69
-24.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$97.1 $97.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.71 $2.71
-2.58%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.77 $1.77
$1.73 $1.73
2.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.37 $28.37
$29.46 $29.46
-3.70%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.89 $0.89
$1.20 $1.20
-25.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2K $30.2K
$33.6K $33.6K
-10.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3K $25.3K
$26.0K $26.0K
-2.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montpelier, VT
Seattle, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$192 $192
$266 $266
-28.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.4 $58.4
$60.4 $60.4
-3.36%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$78.2 $78.2
$76.2 $76.2
2.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Montpelier, VT
Seattle, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.40 $43.40
$79.2 $79.2
-45.17%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$40.51 $40.51
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.19 $12.19
$16.22 $16.22
-24.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Montpelier, VT
Seattle, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,504 $1,504
$2,280 $2,280
-34.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$27.1K $27.1K
$29.6K $29.6K
-8.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Montpelier, VT
Seattle, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.45 $40.45
$69.6 $69.6
-41.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.05 $30.05
$52.6 $52.6
-42.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$103 $103
$120 $120
-14.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$146 $146
$143 $143
2.11%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Montpelier, VT
Seattle, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,438 $1,438
$2,378 $2,378
-39.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,149 $1,149
$1,866 $1,866
-38.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,793 $2,793
$4,724 $4,724
-40.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,161 $2,161
$3,510 $3,510
-38.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$7,711 $7,711
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$5,381 $5,381
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Montpelier, VT
Seattle, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$6,493 $6,493
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.43
6.42
0.16%

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

Last update for Montpelier, VT: April 28, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,438 in Montpelier, VT versus $2,378 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $80.0 in Montpelier, VT versus $119 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $494 vs $544 – making Montpelier, VT 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
Montpelier, VT vs Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Montpelier, VT or Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA costs about 39% more than Montpelier, VT, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Montpelier, VT vs Seattle, WA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,864 per month in Montpelier, VT and $5,374 in Seattle, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Montpelier, VT or Seattle, WA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Montpelier, VT, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Montpelier, VT compared to Seattle, WA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,576 in Montpelier, VT and $3,583 in Seattle, WA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Montpelier, VT and Seattle, WA?
Kindergarten costs $1,504 per month in Montpelier, VT and $2,280 in Seattle, WA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Montpelier, VT or Seattle, WA?
$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,576 in Montpelier, VT and $3,583 in Seattle, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Montpelier, VT or Seattle, WA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Montpelier, VT costs $2,576 versus $3,583 in Seattle, WA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Montpelier, VT compared to Seattle, WA?
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.
Should I move to Montpelier, VT or Seattle, WA?
If budget matters most, go with Montpelier, VT. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Seattle, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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