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 $3,906 per month in San Diego, CA vs $3,598 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,746 per month in San Diego, CA vs $5,539 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,587 per month in San Diego, CA vs $7,479 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

San Diego, CA costs about 9% 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 191%, Seattle, WA by 168%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$23.14 $23.14

$24.80 $24.80

-6.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$118 $118

-14.31%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.74 $14.74

$13.77 $13.77

7.04%

Cappuccino

$6.04 $6.04

$5.71 $5.71

5.78%

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

$3.03 $3.03

$3.05 $3.05

-0.66%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.50 $2.50

0.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.83 $7.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.76 $8.76

$7.88 $7.88

11.17%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$1.35 $1.35

-7.41%

White Bread (500g)

$4.50 $4.50

$5.06 $5.06

-11.07%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.44 $4.44

$5.39 $5.39

-17.63%

Eggs

$5.26 $5.26

$6.85 $6.85

-23.21%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.57 $13.57

$25.07 $25.07

-45.87%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.53 $12.53

$15.85 $15.85

-20.95%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.69 $18.69

$20.59 $20.59

-9.23%

Apples (1kg)

$4.79 $4.79

$6.14 $6.14

-21.99%

Banana (1kg)

$1.65 $1.65

$2.82 $2.82

-41.49%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.91 $3.91

$5.51 $5.51

-29.04%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.77 $4.77

$6.74 $6.74

-29.23%

Potato (1kg)

$2.95 $2.95

$3.15 $3.15

-6.35%

Onion (1kg)

$2.47 $2.47

$3.82 $3.82

-35.34%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.27 $2.27

$2.69 $2.69

-15.61%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.64 $2.64

-7.20%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.88 $11.88

$11.65 $11.65

1.97%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.86 $14.86

$15.69 $15.69

-5.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.74 $1.74

$2.93 $2.93

-40.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$4.24 $4.24

-40.33%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.82 $2.82

-10.64%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$72.5 $72.5

$100 $100

-27.65%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.98 $2.98

$2.60 $2.60

14.62%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.07 $2.07

$1.72 $1.72

20.35%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.14 $28.14

$30.22 $30.22

-6.88%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$1.19 $1.19

9.24%

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

$31.1K $31.1K

$32.7K $32.7K

-4.93%

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

$26.7K $26.7K

$26.1K $26.1K

2.39%

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

$272 $272

$263 $263

3.62%

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

$67.6 $67.6

$60.9 $60.9

10.99%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$78.2 $78.2

$75.9 $75.9

3.10%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$66.9 $66.9

$79.6 $79.6

-15.97%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.81 $24.81

$39.89 $39.89

-37.80%

Cinema Ticket

$16.20 $16.20

$16.27 $16.27

-0.43%

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

$1,596 $1,596

$2,281 $2,281

-30.02%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$28.3K $28.3K

$29.3K $29.3K

-3.32%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.8 $59.8

$68.6 $68.6

-12.81%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$58.9 $58.9

$52.0 $52.0

13.41%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.5 $98.5

$116 $116

-14.96%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 $116

$143 $143

-18.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,832 $2,832

$2,336 $2,336

21.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,390 $2,390

$1,863 $1,863

28.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,901 $4,901

$4,628 $4,628

5.89%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,183 $4,183

$3,477 $3,477

20.33%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,232 $8,232

$7,766 $7,766

6.00%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,581 $6,581

$5,232 $5,232

25.77%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,342 $5,342

$6,617 $6,617

-19.26%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

6.42

-0.47%

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

Last update for San Diego, CA: May 30, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,832 in San Diego, CA versus $2,336 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 $101 in San Diego, CA versus $118 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $425 vs $547 – making San Diego, 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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,906 in San Diego, CA, $3,598 in Seattle, WA – roughly 9% apart. San Diego, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,859 per month in San Diego, CA and $5,397 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 $1,596 per month in San Diego, CA and $2,281 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 29% 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 $3,906 in San Diego, CA and $3,598 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 $3,598 in Seattle, WA to $3,906 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.