Cost of Living Comparison Between Murphysboro, IL and Seattle, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Murphysboro, IL and Seattle, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,682 per month in Murphysboro, IL vs $3,598 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,473 per month in Murphysboro, IL vs $5,539 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,264 per month in Murphysboro, IL vs $7,479 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

Murphysboro, IL is about 53% cheaper than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Murphysboro, IL and Seattle, WA sit above the global median – Murphysboro, IL by 26%, Seattle, WA by 168%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Murphysboro, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.22 $18.22
$24.80 $24.80
-26.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.0 $81.0
$118 $118
-31.20%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.89 $9.89
$13.77 $13.77
-28.18%
Cappuccino
$5.82 $5.82
$5.71 $5.71
1.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 $2.97
$3.05 $3.05
-2.62%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$2.50 $2.50
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.37 $6.37
$7.83 $7.83
-18.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.09 $8.09
$7.88 $7.88
2.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Murphysboro, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.35 $1.35
-35.56%
White Bread (500g)
$1.82 $1.82
$5.06 $5.06
-64.03%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.38 $4.38
$5.39 $5.39
-18.74%
Eggs
$3.89 $3.89
$6.85 $6.85
-43.21%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.30 $12.30
$25.07 $25.07
-50.94%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.82 $9.82
$15.85 $15.85
-38.04%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.78 $14.78
$20.59 $20.59
-28.22%
Apples (1kg)
$4.36 $4.36
$6.14 $6.14
-28.99%
Banana (1kg)
$1.39 $1.39
$2.82 $2.82
-50.71%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.88 $5.88
$5.51 $5.51
6.72%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.27 $5.27
$6.74 $6.74
-21.81%
Potato (1kg)
$1.12 $1.12
$3.15 $3.15
-64.44%
Onion (1kg)
$1.84 $1.84
$3.82 $3.82
-51.83%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.50 $1.50
$2.69 $2.69
-44.24%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 $0.72
$2.64 $2.64
-72.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.72 $8.72
$11.65 $11.65
-25.15%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.07 $10.07
$15.69 $15.69
-35.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07 $2.07
$2.93 $2.93
-29.35%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.04 $4.04
$4.24 $4.24
-4.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Murphysboro, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.82 $2.82
-27.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$100 $100
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.92 $4.92
$2.60 $2.60
89.23%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.53 $1.53
$1.72 $1.72
-11.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$20.79 $20.79
$30.22 $30.22
-31.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 $0.81
$1.19 $1.19
-31.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.0K $33.0K
$32.7K $32.7K
0.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K $26.9K
$26.1K $26.1K
2.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Murphysboro, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$187 $187
$263 $263
-28.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.55 $32.55
$60.9 $60.9
-46.53%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.66 $35.66
$75.9 $75.9
-53.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Murphysboro, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.33 $43.33
$79.6 $79.6
-45.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$39.89 $39.89
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.88 $8.88
$16.27 $16.27
-45.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Murphysboro, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,222 $1,222
$2,281 $2,281
-46.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$30.1K $30.1K
$29.3K $29.3K
2.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Murphysboro, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.09 $34.09
$68.6 $68.6
-50.31%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.66 $34.66
$52.0 $52.0
-33.29%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$93.5 $93.5
$116 $116
-19.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 $112
$143 $143
-21.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Murphysboro, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$668 $668
$2,336 $2,336
-71.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$554 $554
$1,863 $1,863
-70.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$911 $911
$4,628 $4,628
-80.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$789 $789
$3,477 $3,477
-77.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$931 $931
$7,766 $7,766
-88.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$962 $962
$5,232 $5,232
-81.62%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Murphysboro, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,474 $2,474
$6,617 $6,617
-62.61%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.52
6.42
1.56%

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

Last update for Murphysboro, IL: June 2, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $668 in Murphysboro, IL 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 167% higher in Seattle, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Murphysboro, IL versus $118 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $331 vs $547 – making Murphysboro, IL 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
Murphysboro, IL vs Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Murphysboro, IL or Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA costs about 114% more than Murphysboro, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Murphysboro, IL vs Seattle, WA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,523 per month in Murphysboro, IL and $5,397 in Seattle, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Murphysboro, IL or Seattle, WA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Murphysboro, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Murphysboro, IL vs Seattle, WA?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Murphysboro, IL and $118 in Seattle, WA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Murphysboro, IL or Seattle, WA?
Groceries cost about 65% more in Seattle, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Murphysboro, IL or Seattle, WA?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Murphysboro, IL, where all-in costs run around $1,682, than in Seattle, WA at $3,598. In Murphysboro, IL it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seattle, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Murphysboro, IL or Seattle, WA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Murphysboro, IL costs $1,682 versus $3,598 in Seattle, WA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Murphysboro, IL or Seattle, WA?
If budget matters most, go with Murphysboro, IL. 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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