Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Brooklyn, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Brooklyn, NY

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,621 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,969 in Brooklyn, NY, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,548 per month in Seattle, WA vs $5,999 in Brooklyn, NY, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,476 per month in Seattle, WA vs $8,028 in Brooklyn, NY, rent included.

Seattle, WA is about 9% cheaper than Brooklyn, NY, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Brooklyn, NY sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 172%, Brooklyn, NY by 198%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.02 $25.02

$19.77 $19.77

26.56%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$118 $118

0.11%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.76 $13.76

$12.49 $12.49

10.17%

Cappuccino

$5.85 $5.85

$5.94 $5.94

-1.52%

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

$3.05 $3.05

$2.81 $2.81

8.54%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.39 $2.39

$2.01 $2.01

18.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.93 $7.93

$8.14 $8.14

-2.58%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.85 $7.85

$7.91 $7.91

-0.76%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.49 $1.49

-6.71%

White Bread (500g)

$4.86 $4.86

$4.75 $4.75

2.32%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.18 $5.18

$6.26 $6.26

-17.25%

Eggs

$6.69 $6.69

$5.55 $5.55

20.54%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.28 $25.28

$13.53 $13.53

86.84%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.92 $15.92

$12.59 $12.59

26.45%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.16 $20.16

$15.04 $15.04

34.04%

Apples (1kg)

$6.19 $6.19

$6.02 $6.02

2.82%

Banana (1kg)

$2.88 $2.88

$3.98 $3.98

-27.64%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.48 $5.48

$5.56 $5.56

-1.44%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.38 $6.38

$6.25 $6.25

2.08%

Potato (1kg)

$3.09 $3.09

$5.16 $5.16

-40.12%

Onion (1kg)

$3.80 $3.80

$4.83 $4.83

-21.33%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.77 $2.77

1.08%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.61 $2.61

$2.41 $2.41

8.30%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.41 $11.41

$15.12 $15.12

-24.54%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.59 $15.59

$21.26 $21.26

-26.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$2.52 $2.52

18.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.23 $4.23

$3.52 $3.52

20.17%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.97 $2.97

-9.43%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$101 $101

$132 $132

-23.57%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.68 $2.68

$2.94 $2.94

-8.84%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$2.13 $2.13

-20.19%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.50 $29.50

$41.58 $41.58

-29.05%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.95 $0.95

20.00%

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

$33.3K $33.3K

$25.3K $25.3K

31.49%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$24.8K $24.8K

6.99%

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

$261 $261

$163 $163

60.02%

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

$60.4 $60.4

$59.7 $59.7

1.09%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.8 $75.8

$68.1 $68.1

11.26%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.8 $78.8

$108 $108

-27.33%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.08 $40.08

$67.4 $67.4

-40.54%

Cinema Ticket

$15.82 $15.82

$19.89 $19.89

-20.46%

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

$2,210 $2,210

$1,926 $1,926

14.73%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.8K $29.8K

$14.4K $14.4K

106.90%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.8 $69.8

$61.1 $61.1

14.27%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.0 $52.0

$59.1 $59.1

-11.98%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 $117

$109 $109

7.06%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$139 $139

$134 $134

3.46%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,321 $2,321

$3,178 $3,178

-26.97%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,870 $1,870

$2,408 $2,408

-22.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,728 $4,728

$6,095 $6,095

-22.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,569 $3,569

$4,397 $4,397

-18.84%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,651 $7,651

$11.8K $11.8K

-35.13%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,034 $5,034

$6,692 $6,692

-24.78%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,516 $6,516

$3,803 $3,803

71.35%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.51

-1.38%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: July 26, 2026

Last update for Brooklyn, NY: July 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,321 in Seattle, WA versus $3,178 in Brooklyn, NY. 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 71% 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 $118 in Seattle, WA versus $118 in Brooklyn, NY. Groceries tell a different story – $542 in Seattle, WA vs $493 in Brooklyn, NY – so Brooklyn, NY 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

Seattle, WA vs Brooklyn, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,621 in Seattle, WA, $3,969 in Brooklyn, NY – roughly 10% apart. Brooklyn, NY costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,431 per month in Seattle, WA and $5,954 in Brooklyn, NY. 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $118 in Seattle, WA and $118 in Brooklyn, NY. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,621 in Seattle, WA and $3,969 in Brooklyn, NY. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,621 in Seattle, WA and $3,969 in Brooklyn, NY. 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 $3,621 in Seattle, WA to $3,969 in Brooklyn, NY. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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