Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and SeaTac, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and SeaTac, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,458 per month in New York, NY vs $3,122 in SeaTac, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,020 per month in New York, NY vs $4,448 in SeaTac, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,582 per month in New York, NY vs $5,774 in SeaTac, WA, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 43% more than SeaTac, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both New York, NY and SeaTac, WA sit above the global median – New York, NY by 232%, SeaTac, WA by 132%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.87 $29.87

$24.69 $24.69

20.98%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$148 $148

$69.7 $69.7

111.90%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.37 $12.37

$12.31 $12.31

0.49%

Cappuccino

$6.07 $6.07

$6.13 $6.13

-0.98%

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

$3.21 $3.21

$3.22 $3.22

-0.31%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.65 $2.65

$2.27 $2.27

16.74%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.88 $7.88

$6.95 $6.95

13.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.19 $12.19

$6.06 $6.06

101.16%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.55 $1.55

$1.01 $1.01

53.47%

White Bread (500g)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.67 $3.67

40.05%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.16 $8.16

$4.33 $4.33

88.45%

Eggs

$6.96 $6.96

$4.73 $4.73

47.15%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.53 $17.53

$11.58 $11.58

51.38%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.22 $16.22

$10.51 $10.51

54.33%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.40 $20.40

$17.81 $17.81

14.54%

Apples (1kg)

$7.60 $7.60

$5.47 $5.47

38.94%

Banana (1kg)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.58 $1.58

55.06%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$4.90 $4.90

15.10%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.47 $6.47

$5.33 $5.33

21.39%

Potato (1kg)

$3.72 $3.72

$3.00 $3.00

24.00%

Onion (1kg)

$3.99 $3.99

$2.82 $2.82

41.49%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.15 $3.15

$2.55 $2.55

23.53%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.88 $2.88

-14.93%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$18.92 $18.92

$11.13 $11.13

69.99%

Wine (Bottle)

$20.27 $20.27

$18.24 $18.24

11.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.88 $2.88

$1.97 $1.97

46.19%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.88 $3.88

$4.77 $4.77

-18.66%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.89 $2.89

$2.79 $2.79

3.58%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$132 $132

$95.5 $95.5

38.62%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.10 $5.10

$2.66 $2.66

91.73%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.19 $2.19

$1.71 $1.71

28.07%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.50 $42.50

$29.89 $29.89

42.19%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$1.12 $1.12

-15.18%

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

$35.5K $35.5K

$35.6K $35.6K

-0.08%

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

$28.3K $28.3K

$26.8K $26.8K

5.61%

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

$181 $181

$152 $152

18.80%

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

$59.8 $59.8

$60.4 $60.4

-0.94%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.8 $63.8

$87.5 $87.5

-27.08%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$141 $141

$34.48 $34.48

308.64%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$64.9 $64.9

$19.64 $19.64

230.24%

Cinema Ticket

$19.92 $19.92

$15.20 $15.20

31.05%

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

$3,208 $3,208

$1,455 $1,455

120.51%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$57.8K $57.8K

$32.0K $32.0K

80.73%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.3 $68.3

$55.9 $55.9

22.24%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.77 $48.77

$43.75 $43.75

11.47%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$113 $113

$86.0 $86.0

31.23%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$172 $172

$97.9 $97.9

76.10%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,213 $4,213

$2,282 $2,282

84.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,706 $2,706

$1,758 $1,758

53.87%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,515 $8,515

$3,859 $3,859

120.66%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,231 $5,231

$2,636 $2,636

98.45%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$17.9K $17.9K

$4,148 $4,148

331.74%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,389 $6,389

$3,858 $3,858

65.59%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,445 $5,445

$6,063 $6,063

-10.19%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

6.66

-3.30%

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

Last update for New York, NY: June 7, 2026

Last update for SeaTac, WA: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,213 in New York, NY versus $2,282 in SeaTac, 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 11% higher in SeaTac, 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 $148 in New York, NY versus $70.0 in SeaTac, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $554 vs $422 – making SeaTac, WA 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

New York, NY vs SeaTac, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

New York, NY costs about 43% more than SeaTac, WA, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,687 per month in New York, NY and $4,682 in SeaTac, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in SeaTac, WA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $3,208 per month in New York, NY and $1,455 in SeaTac, WA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 31% more in New York, NY, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,458 in New York, NY and $3,122 in SeaTac, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. SeaTac, WA costs $3,122 versus $4,458 in New York, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with SeaTac, WA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, New York, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.