Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Belleville, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Belleville, IL: $2,249 a month against $3,785 in Seattle, WA, rent and utilities included – about $18,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Seattle, WA, United States
Belleville, IL, United States
Seattle, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,785
/mo nomad
Belleville, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,249
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Seattle, WA and in Belleville, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Seattle, WA and in Belleville, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,785 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,249 in Belleville, IL, rent included.

  • Seattle, WA $3,785
  • Belleville, IL $2,249

A couple spends around $5,688 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,369 in Belleville, IL, rent included.

  • Seattle, WA $5,688
  • Belleville, IL $3,369

A family of three spends $7,592 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,489 in Belleville, IL, rent included.

  • Seattle, WA $7,592
  • Belleville, IL $4,489

Seattle, WA costs about 68% more than Belleville, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Seattle, WA and Belleville, IL sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 178%, Belleville, IL by 65%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Seattle, WA
Belleville, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.30 $25.30
$17.71 $17.71
42.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$101 $101
$69.0 $69.0
46.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.76 $14.76
$9.33 $9.33
58.20%
Cappuccino
$6.50 $6.50
$4.48 $4.48
45.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21 $3.21
$2.06 $2.06
55.83%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14 $3.14
$1.75 $1.75
79.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.97 $7.97
$4.55 $4.55
75.16%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.13 $8.13
$5.97 $5.97
36.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
Belleville, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.17 $1.17
$1.02 $1.02
14.71%
White Bread (500g)
$5.30 $5.30
$2.33 $2.33
127.47%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.40 $6.40
$3.77 $3.77
69.76%
Eggs
$5.06 $5.06
$3.97 $3.97
27.46%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$18.71 $18.71
$12.27 $12.27
52.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$18.72 $18.72
$15.24 $15.24
22.83%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$22.88 $22.88
$12.64 $12.64
81.01%
Apples (1kg)
$6.06 $6.06
$5.83 $5.83
3.95%
Banana (1kg)
$1.95 $1.95
$1.76 $1.76
10.80%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.51 $5.51
$3.37 $3.37
63.50%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.52 $6.52
$3.51 $3.51
85.75%
Potato (1kg)
$3.49 $3.49
$2.18 $2.18
60.09%
Onion (1kg)
$3.29 $3.29
$2.03 $2.03
62.07%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.80 $2.80
$1.59 $1.59
76.10%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.58 $2.58
$1.87 $1.87
37.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.49 $12.49
$12.21 $12.21
2.29%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.87 $14.87
$14.94 $14.94
-0.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.19 $4.19
$2.07 $2.07
102.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.80 $5.80
$2.74 $2.74
111.68%
🚌 Getting Around
Seattle, WA
Belleville, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.05 $3.05
$0.98 $0.98
211.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$106 $106
$78.6 $78.6
34.82%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.58 $2.58
$3.45 $3.45
-25.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.64 $1.64
$2.46 $2.46
-33.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.12 $30.12
$17.39 $17.39
73.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.41 $1.41
$0.96 $0.96
46.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.8K $36.8K
$28.8K $28.8K
27.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6K $26.6K
$26.2K $26.2K
1.43%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
Belleville, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$308 $308
$241 $241
27.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$69.2 $69.2
$69.8 $69.8
-0.92%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$86.1 $86.1
$65.8 $65.8
30.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
Belleville, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.5 $76.5
$31.06 $31.06
146.14%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.50 $35.50
$29.60 $29.60
19.93%
Cinema Ticket
$18.02 $18.02
$14.06 $14.06
28.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Seattle, WA
Belleville, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,746 $2,746
$1,040 $1,040
164.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$30.6K $30.6K
$12.8K $12.8K
138.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
Belleville, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$79.2 $79.2
$55.6 $55.6
42.38%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.3 $54.3
$32.16 $32.16
68.87%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$127 $127
$86.9 $86.9
45.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$159 $159
$103 $103
54.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
Belleville, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,508 $2,508
$1,202 $1,202
108.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,938 $1,938
$945 $945
105.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$5,117 $5,117
$1,990 $1,990
157.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,542 $3,542
$1,667 $1,667
112.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,374 $7,374
$2,141 $2,141
244.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,002 $5,002
$1,753 $1,753
185.29%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Seattle, WA
Belleville, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,470 $6,470
$6,255 $6,255
3.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.89
6.72
2.53%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 26, 2026

Last update for Belleville, IL: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
$1.9K
Belleville, IL
$945 51.3% $994
Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
$547
Belleville, IL
$371 32.1% $176
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
$463
Belleville, IL
$377 18.5% $86
Eating Out
Seattle, WA
$406
Belleville, IL
$273 32.7% $133
Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
$189
Belleville, IL
$125 33.8% $64
Getting Around
Seattle, WA
$129
Belleville, IL
$98 23.8% $31
Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
$112
Belleville, IL
$59 47.4% $53

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,508 in Seattle, WA versus $1,202 in Belleville, IL. 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 3% 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 $69 in Belleville, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $547 vs $371 – making Belleville, IL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Seattle, WA
🇺🇸 Belleville, IL
🕒 Local time
15:16 3:16 PM
17:16 5:16 PM
2 h ahead of Seattle, WA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
737,015
42,404
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.898 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Seattle, WA Belleville, IL 2,790 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Seattle, WA
  • Belleville, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Belleville, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Seattle, WA or Belleville, IL?
Seattle, WA costs about 68% more than Belleville, IL, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Seattle, WA and in Belleville, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,677 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,373 in Belleville, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Seattle, WA or Belleville, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Belleville, IL, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,202 there versus $2,508 in Seattle, WA.
How do childcare costs compare in Seattle, WA and in Belleville, IL?
Kindergarten costs $2,746 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,040 in Belleville, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Seattle, WA or in Belleville, IL?
Groceries cost about 47% more in Seattle, WA, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Seattle, WA or in Belleville, IL?
$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,785 in Seattle, WA and $2,249 in Belleville, IL. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Belleville, IL – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Seattle, WA or to Belleville, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Belleville, IL. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Seattle, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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