😐A single person spends $4,050 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $3,583 in Seattle, WA, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $5,773 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $5,632 in Seattle, WA, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $7,497 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $7,681 in Seattle, WA, rent included.
😐Pasadena, CA costs about 13% more than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Pasadena, CA and Seattle, WA sit above the global median – Pasadena, CA by 202%, Seattle, WA by 168%.
Moneda
🍽 Eating Out
Pasadena, CA
Seattle, WA
Diferencia
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.79$17.79
$24.97$24.97
-28.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.2$81.2
$119$119
-32.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.69$11.69
$13.90$13.90
-15.90%
Cappuccino
$5.17$5.17
$5.56$5.56
-7.01%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11$3.11
$3.06$3.06
1.63%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.89$2.89
$2.47$2.47
17.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$9.80$9.80
$7.96$7.96
23.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$10.96$10.96
$8.01$8.01
36.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pasadena, CA
Seattle, WA
Diferencia
Milk(1 liter)
$1.20$1.20
$1.34$1.34
-10.45%
White Bread(500g)
$4.92$4.92
$5.05$5.05
-2.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.81$2.81
$5.36$5.36
-47.57%
Eggs
$5.34$5.34
$6.59$6.59
-18.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.23$16.23
$25.31$25.31
-35.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$18.28$18.28
$16.19$16.19
12.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.32$13.32
$20.30$20.30
-34.38%
Apples(1kg)
$3.55$3.55
$5.97$5.97
-40.54%
Banana(1kg)
$1.63$1.63
$2.74$2.74
-40.51%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.50$2.50
$5.36$5.36
-53.36%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.75$5.75
$6.61$6.61
-13.01%
Potato(1kg)
$5.63$5.63
$3.25$3.25
73.23%
Onion(1kg)
$2.28$2.28
$3.79$3.79
-39.84%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.87$1.87
$2.73$2.73
-31.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.66$1.66
$2.53$2.53
-34.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.39$9.39
$11.31$11.31
-16.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.88$9.88
$16.28$16.28
-39.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05$2.05
$2.85$2.85
-28.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67$1.67
$4.16$4.16
-59.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Pasadena, CA
Seattle, WA
Diferencia
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.56$1.56
$2.69$2.69
-42.01%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$52.6$52.6
$97.1$97.1
-45.86%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.55$3.55
$2.71$2.71
31.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.60$1.60
$1.73$1.73
-7.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.15$29.15
$29.46$29.46
-1.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30$1.30
$1.20$1.20
8.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.3K$29.3K
$33.6K$33.6K
-12.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2K$22.2K
$26.0K$26.0K
-14.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pasadena, CA
Seattle, WA
Diferencia
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$265$265
$266$266
-0.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$51.1$51.1
$60.4$60.4
-15.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.6$72.6
$76.2$76.2
-4.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pasadena, CA
Seattle, WA
Diferencia
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.50$34.50
$79.2$79.2
-56.42%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.02$35.02
$40.51$40.51
-13.55%
Cinema Ticket
$19.11$19.11
$16.22$16.22
17.82%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pasadena, CA
Seattle, WA
Diferencia
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,299$1,299
$2,280$2,280
-43.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.1K$15.1K
$29.6K$29.6K
-48.99%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pasadena, CA
Seattle, WA
Diferencia
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.8$88.8
$69.6$69.6
27.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.28$40.28
$52.6$52.6
-23.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6$93.6
$120$120
-21.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112$112
$143$143
-21.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pasadena, CA
Seattle, WA
Diferencia
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,388$3,388
$2,378$2,378
42.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,693$2,693
$1,866$1,866
44.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$5,475$5,475
$4,724$4,724
15.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$4,330$4,330
$3,510$3,510
23.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$9,483$9,483
$7,711$7,711
22.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$8,659$8,659
$5,381$5,381
60.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pasadena, CA
Seattle, WA
Diferencia
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,256$5,256
$6,493$6,493
-19.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.27
6.42
-2.34%
Los datos de CityCost se basan en IA y aportaciones de usuarios. Puede haber pequeñas variaciones.
Última actualización para Pasadena, CA: April 25, 2026
Última actualización para Seattle, WA: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $3,388 in Pasadena, CA 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.
💰Salaries run about 24% higher in Seattle, 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 $81.0 in Pasadena, CA versus $119 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $422 vs $544 – making Pasadena, CA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
Comparación de velocidades medias de internet por ciudad (actualizado April 2026)
El gráfico resalta el umbral de precisión para velocidades de internet móvil y fija, actualizado trimestralmente.
Índice del coste de vida para nómadas digitales
Pasadena, CA vs Seattle, WA: Coste de vida - preguntas frecuentes
How do Pasadena, CA and Seattle, WA compare in cost of living?
Pasadena, CA costs about 13% more than Seattle, 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.
What salary covers living expenses in Pasadena, CA compared to Seattle, WA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,075 per month in Pasadena, CA and $5,374 in Seattle, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Pasadena, CA and Seattle, WA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Seattle, WA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Pasadena, CA or Seattle, WA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $4,050 in Pasadena, CA and $3,583 in Seattle, WA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Pasadena, CA and Seattle, WA?
Public transport costs about 85% less in Seattle, WA. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is feasible on a $2,500 budget?
$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,050 in Pasadena, CA and $3,583 in Seattle, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Pasadena, CA and Seattle, WA?
It depends on your priorities. Seattle, WA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,583 in Seattle, WA to $4,050 in Pasadena, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Pasadena, CA and Seattle, WA?
If budget matters most, go with Seattle, WA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Pasadena, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Pasadena, CA vs otros destinos: coste de vida comparado