Cost of Living Comparison Between San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,101 per month in San Diego, CA vs $3,836 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $6,179 per month in San Diego, CA vs $5,763 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $8,258 per month in San Diego, CA vs $7,691 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

San Diego, CA costs about 7% more than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA sit above the global median – San Diego, CA by 198%, Seattle, WA by 179%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.27 $30.27

$24.68 $24.68

22.65%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$99.1 $99.1

2.28%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.87 $14.87

$15.09 $15.09

-1.46%

Cappuccino

$6.22 $6.22

$6.62 $6.62

-6.04%

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

$3.33 $3.33

$3.13 $3.13

6.39%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.94 $2.94

$2.98 $2.98

-1.34%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.21 $8.21

$8.12 $8.12

1.11%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.23 $12.23

$7.85 $7.85

55.80%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.17 $1.17

16.24%

White Bread (500g)

$5.40 $5.40

$5.20 $5.20

3.85%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.90 $4.90

$6.40 $6.40

-23.44%

Eggs

$7.01 $7.01

$4.91 $4.91

42.77%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.52 $17.52

$21.46 $21.46

-18.36%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.12 $13.12

$18.58 $18.58

-29.39%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.17 $20.17

$23.05 $23.05

-12.49%

Apples (1kg)

$4.64 $4.64

$5.79 $5.79

-19.86%

Banana (1kg)

$1.83 $1.83

$1.88 $1.88

-2.66%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.30 $4.30

$5.38 $5.38

-20.07%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.08 $5.08

$6.30 $6.30

-19.37%

Potato (1kg)

$3.27 $3.27

$3.80 $3.80

-13.95%

Onion (1kg)

$2.72 $2.72

$3.26 $3.26

-16.56%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.07 $2.07

$2.87 $2.87

-27.87%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$2.71 $2.71

-20.66%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.75 $11.75

$14.15 $14.15

-16.96%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.57 $16.57

$15.07 $15.07

9.95%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.21 $2.21

$4.36 $4.36

-49.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$5.75 $5.75

-45.74%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.46 $2.46

$3.06 $3.06

-19.61%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.3 $73.3

$110 $110

-33.40%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.97 $2.97

$2.57 $2.57

15.56%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.08 $2.08

$1.65 $1.65

26.06%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.84 $27.84

$29.88 $29.88

-6.83%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.49 $1.49

$1.38 $1.38

7.97%

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

$36.7K $36.7K

$36.4K $36.4K

0.71%

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

$25.4K $25.4K

$25.1K $25.1K

1.03%

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

$252 $252

$296 $296

-14.79%

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

$73.8 $73.8

$71.3 $71.3

3.54%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$85.9 $85.9

$88.0 $88.0

-2.32%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$69.0 $69.0

$81.5 $81.5

-15.27%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.99 $22.99

$35.70 $35.70

-35.60%

Cinema Ticket

$19.62 $19.62

$18.33 $18.33

7.04%

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

$1,924 $1,924

$3,067 $3,067

-37.27%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$36.2K $36.2K

$30.6K $30.6K

18.56%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.1 $69.1

$77.0 $77.0

-10.28%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.4 $57.4

$54.0 $54.0

6.39%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$115 $115

$128 $128

-9.64%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$165 $165

-10.74%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,282 $3,282

$2,418 $2,418

35.74%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,410 $2,410

$1,931 $1,931

24.81%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,352 $5,352

$4,756 $4,756

12.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,382 $4,382

$3,584 $3,584

22.25%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,237 $8,237

$7,403 $7,403

11.27%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,501 $6,501

$5,056 $5,056

28.57%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,072 $5,072

$6,320 $6,320

-19.74%

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 San Diego, CA: August 29, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,282 in San Diego, CA versus $2,418 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 25% 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 $101 in San Diego, CA versus $99.0 in Seattle, WA. Groceries tell a different story – $471 in San Diego, CA vs $554 in Seattle, WA – so San Diego, 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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $4,101 in San Diego, CA, $3,836 in Seattle, WA – roughly 7% apart. San Diego, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,151 per month in San Diego, CA and $5,754 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.

Kindergarten costs $1,924 per month in San Diego, CA and $3,067 in Seattle, WA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 18% cheaper in San Diego, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,101 in San Diego, CA and $3,836 in Seattle, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. San Diego, CA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,836 in Seattle, WA to $4,101 in San Diego, 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 Seattle, WA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, San Diego, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.