Cost of Living Comparison Between Pullman, WA and Fullerton, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Pullman, WA and Fullerton, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,235 per month in Pullman, WA vs $3,453 in Fullerton, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,409 per month in Pullman, WA vs $5,327 in Fullerton, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,583 per month in Pullman, WA vs $7,202 in Fullerton, CA, rent included.

Pullman, WA is about 35% cheaper than Fullerton, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Pullman, WA and Fullerton, CA sit above the global median – Pullman, WA by 67%, Fullerton, CA by 158%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.44 $16.44

$25.07 $25.07

-34.42%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$64.1 $64.1

$83.7 $83.7

-23.43%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.66 $8.66

$11.31 $11.31

-23.43%

Cappuccino

$4.37 $4.37

$5.42 $5.42

-19.37%

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

$2.18 $2.18

$2.79 $2.79

-21.86%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.87 $1.87

$1.97 $1.97

-5.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.93 $5.93

$7.39 $7.39

-19.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.38 $5.38

$8.26 $8.26

-34.87%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$1.25 $1.25

-23.20%

White Bread (500g)

$3.70 $3.70

$3.96 $3.96

-6.57%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.00 $4.00

$4.05 $4.05

-1.23%

Eggs

$5.42 $5.42

$4.54 $4.54

19.38%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.00 $21.00

$11.13 $11.13

88.68%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.22 $14.22

$8.76 $8.76

62.33%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.90 $19.90

$14.28 $14.28

39.36%

Apples (1kg)

$3.75 $3.75

$3.42 $3.42

9.65%

Banana (1kg)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.92 $1.92

6.25%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.60 $3.60

$3.85 $3.85

-6.49%

Tomato (1kg)

$7.07 $7.07

$5.67 $5.67

24.69%

Potato (1kg)

$2.39 $2.39

$3.19 $3.19

-25.08%

Onion (1kg)

$2.62 $2.62

$3.26 $3.26

-19.63%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.37 $3.37

$1.44 $1.44

134.03%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.93 $2.93

$2.16 $2.16

35.65%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.43 $8.43

$11.07 $11.07

-23.85%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.31 $13.31

$14.92 $14.92

-10.79%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 $1.76

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.27 $9.27

$4.54 $4.54

104.19%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.03 $1.03

$2.29 $2.29

-55.02%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.42 $29.42

$63.8 $63.8

-53.89%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.98 $3.98

$4.09 $4.09

-2.69%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.71 $1.71

2.92%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.89 $28.89

$32.03 $32.03

-9.80%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$1.24 $1.24

-29.03%

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

$19.6K $19.6K

$23.8K $23.8K

-17.53%

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

$20.2K $20.2K

$24.1K $24.1K

-16.12%

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

$107 $107

$202 $202

-46.84%

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

$85.7 $85.7

$50.1 $50.1

71.11%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$58.4 $58.4

$64.3 $64.3

-9.06%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.87 $29.87

$39.64 $39.64

-24.65%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.12 $10.12

Cinema Ticket

$15.23 $15.23

$13.76 $13.76

10.68%

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

$1,176 $1,176

$1,420 $1,420

-17.16%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.5K $23.5K

$40.5K $40.5K

-41.95%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.1 $51.1

$68.6 $68.6

-25.43%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.85 $22.85

$34.14 $34.14

-33.07%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.9 $99.9

$85.3 $85.3

17.12%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$159 $159

$118 $118

34.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,207 $1,207

$2,539 $2,539

-52.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,002 $1,002

$2,045 $2,045

-51.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,153 $2,153

$3,853 $3,853

-44.14%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,651 $1,651

$3,988 $3,988

-58.60%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,296 $2,296

$5,475 $5,475

-58.07%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,174 $2,174

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,492 $3,492

$4,607 $4,607

-24.21%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.3

6.58

-4.26%

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

Last update for Pullman, WA: April 19, 2026

Last update for Fullerton, CA: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,207 in Pullman, WA versus $2,539 in Fullerton, CA. 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 32% higher in Fullerton, CA, 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 $64 in Pullman, WA versus $84 in Fullerton, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $474 in Pullman, WA vs $374 in Fullerton, CA – so Fullerton, CA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

Pullman, WA vs Fullerton, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,235 in Pullman, WA, $3,453 in Fullerton, CA – roughly 54% apart. Fullerton, CA costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,352 per month in Pullman, WA and $5,179 in Fullerton, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $1,176 per month in Pullman, WA and $1,420 in Fullerton, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 27% cheaper in Fullerton, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,235 in Pullman, WA and $3,453 in Fullerton, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Fullerton, CA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,235 in Pullman, WA to $3,453 in Fullerton, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

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