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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,886 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,056 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,699 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,455 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,513 per month in Seattle, WA vs $5,854 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 27% more than Auburn, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Auburn, CA sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 182%, Auburn, CA by 122%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.37 $25.37

$24.73 $24.73

2.59%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$88.7 $88.7

13.79%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.80 $14.80

$12.19 $12.19

21.41%

Cappuccino

$6.63 $6.63

$4.73 $4.73

40.17%

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

$3.08 $3.08

$2.64 $2.64

16.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$2.15 $2.15

37.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.94 $7.94

$4.92 $4.92

61.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.88 $7.88

$6.77 $6.77

16.40%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.26 $1.26

-3.17%

White Bread (500g)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.53 $4.53

13.47%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.16 $6.16

$7.09 $7.09

-13.12%

Eggs

$5.08 $5.08

$3.22 $3.22

57.76%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.31 $21.31

$21.82 $21.82

-2.34%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.42 $18.42

$16.65 $16.65

10.63%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$23.04 $23.04

$15.50 $15.50

48.65%

Apples (1kg)

$6.04 $6.04

$6.64 $6.64

-9.04%

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.72 $1.72

9.30%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.20 $5.20

$6.36 $6.36

-18.24%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.37 $6.37

$5.95 $5.95

7.06%

Potato (1kg)

$3.78 $3.78

$4.93 $4.93

-23.33%

Onion (1kg)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.09 $3.09

6.80%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.87 $2.87

$1.94 $1.94

47.94%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.32 $2.32

14.66%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.91 $13.91

$11.77 $11.77

18.18%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.05 $15.05

$12.06 $12.06

24.79%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.17 $4.17

$1.44 $1.44

189.58%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.64 $5.64

$1.98 $1.98

184.85%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.97 $2.97

$3.55 $3.55

-16.34%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$107 $107

$88.8 $88.8

21.03%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 $2.57

$3.29 $3.29

-21.88%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$2.42 $2.42

-31.82%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.49 $29.49

$39.89 $39.89

-26.07%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.26 $1.26

15.87%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$33.1K $33.1K

8.83%

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

$25.4K $25.4K

$24.3K $24.3K

4.90%

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

$306 $306

$185 $185

65.69%

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

$70.2 $70.2

$49.97 $49.97

40.40%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$87.4 $87.4

$66.3 $66.3

31.83%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.9 $79.9

$64.9 $64.9

23.16%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.74 $34.74

Cinema Ticket

$17.85 $17.85

$14.75 $14.75

21.02%

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

$3,018 $3,018

$2,804 $2,804

7.63%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.1K $31.1K

$5,980 $5,980

420.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$76.6 $76.6

$71.3 $71.3

7.56%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.8 $53.8

$46.20 $46.20

16.52%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$126 $126

$108 $108

16.39%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$162 $162

$144 $144

13.12%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,456 $2,456

$1,829 $1,829

34.26%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,981 $1,981

$1,562 $1,562

26.83%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,881 $4,881

$2,736 $2,736

78.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,625 $3,625

$2,345 $2,345

54.59%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,376 $7,376

$3,225 $3,225

128.74%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,007 $5,007

$2,668 $2,668

87.69%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,165 $6,165

$4,043 $4,043

52.50%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.1

5.74%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: September 7, 2026

Last update for Auburn, CA: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,456 in Seattle, WA versus $1,829 in Auburn, 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 53% higher in Seattle, WA, 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 $101 in Seattle, WA versus $89.0 in Auburn, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $551 vs $485 – making Auburn, 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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,886 in Seattle, WA, $3,056 in Auburn, CA – roughly 27% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,829 per month in Seattle, WA and $4,584 in Auburn, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $3,018 per month in Seattle, WA and $2,804 in Auburn, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 14% more in Seattle, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,886 in Seattle, WA and $3,056 in Auburn, CA. 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 $3,056 in Auburn, CA to $3,886 in Seattle, WA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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