Cost of Living Comparison Between Pasadena, CA and Seattle, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Pasadena, CA and Seattle, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,458 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $3,886 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $6,438 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $5,699 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $8,418 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $7,513 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

Pasadena, CA costs about 15% more than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Pasadena, CA and Seattle, WA sit above the global median – Pasadena, CA by 223%, Seattle, WA by 182%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.67 $17.67

$25.37 $25.37

-30.35%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$85.6 $85.6

$101 $101

-15.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.85 $11.85

$14.80 $14.80

-19.93%

Cappuccino

$4.64 $4.64

$6.63 $6.63

-30.02%

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

$3.27 $3.27

$3.08 $3.08

6.17%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.96 $2.96

-14.19%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.34 $9.34

$7.94 $7.94

17.63%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.91 $10.91

$7.88 $7.88

38.45%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.22 $1.22

15.57%

White Bread (500g)

$5.02 $5.02

$5.14 $5.14

-2.33%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$6.16 $6.16

-29.87%

Eggs

$5.19 $5.19

$5.08 $5.08

2.17%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.39 $13.39

$21.31 $21.31

-37.17%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.76 $14.76

$18.42 $18.42

-19.87%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$21.94 $21.94

$23.04 $23.04

-4.77%

Apples (1kg)

$4.55 $4.55

$6.04 $6.04

-24.67%

Banana (1kg)

$2.49 $2.49

$1.88 $1.88

32.45%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$5.20 $5.20

-11.73%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.97 $5.97

$6.37 $6.37

-6.28%

Potato (1kg)

$5.22 $5.22

$3.78 $3.78

38.10%

Onion (1kg)

$2.41 $2.41

$3.30 $3.30

-26.97%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.88 $1.88

$2.87 $2.87

-34.49%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.19 $2.19

$2.66 $2.66

-17.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.91 $13.91

Wine (Bottle)

$11.12 $11.12

$15.05 $15.05

-26.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.16 $2.16

$4.17 $4.17

-48.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.87 $1.87

$5.64 $5.64

-66.84%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.97 $2.97

-40.40%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$100 $100

$107 $107

-6.87%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 $2.57

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.49 $29.49

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 $1.45

$1.46 $1.46

-0.68%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

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

$25.4K $25.4K

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

$293 $293

$306 $306

-4.45%

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

$57.9 $57.9

$70.2 $70.2

-17.50%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.5 $75.5

$87.4 $87.4

-13.59%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.24 $35.24

$79.9 $79.9

-55.91%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.15 $35.15

$34.74 $34.74

1.18%

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$17.85 $17.85

0.95%

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

$3,901 $3,901

$3,018 $3,018

29.25%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K $14.7K

$31.1K $31.1K

-52.74%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.1 $66.1

$76.6 $76.6

-13.78%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.8 $53.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.0 $79.0

$126 $126

-37.21%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$254 $254

$162 $162

56.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,160 $3,160

$2,456 $2,456

28.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,856 $2,856

$1,981 $1,981

44.20%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,722 $5,722

$4,881 $4,881

17.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,849 $4,849

$3,625 $3,625

33.74%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,006 $9,006

$7,376 $7,376

22.10%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,754 $8,754

$5,007 $5,007

74.83%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,298 $5,298

$6,165 $6,165

-14.07%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.05

6.45

-6.20%

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

Last update for Pasadena, CA: September 6, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,160 in Pasadena, CA versus $2,456 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 16% 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 $86.0 in Pasadena, CA versus $101 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $459 vs $551 – making Pasadena, CA 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

Pasadena, CA vs Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Pasadena, CA costs about 15% 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.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,687 per month in Pasadena, CA and $5,829 in Seattle, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $4,458 in Pasadena, CA and $3,886 in Seattle, WA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 7% less in Seattle, WA. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,458 in Pasadena, CA and $3,886 in Seattle, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Seattle, WA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,886 in Seattle, WA to $4,458 in Pasadena, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.