Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Cleveland, MS

For one person, living is cheaper in Cleveland, MS: $2,680 a month against $3,782 in Seattle, WA, rent and utilities included – about $13,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Seattle, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,782
/mo nomad
Cleveland, MS
🇺🇸 United States
$2,680
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Seattle, WA and in Cleveland, MS

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 Cleveland, MS actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,782 in Seattle, WA versus $2,680 in Cleveland, MS.

  • Seattle, WA $3,782
  • Cleveland, MS $2,680

Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,636 in Seattle, WA versus $3,896 in Cleveland, MS.

  • Seattle, WA $5,636
  • Cleveland, MS $3,896

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,489 in Seattle, WA versus $5,113 in Cleveland, MS.

  • Seattle, WA $7,489
  • Cleveland, MS $5,113

Living in Seattle, WA is roughly 41% more expensive than in Cleveland, MS, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Seattle, WA 179% above, Cleveland, MS 98% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Seattle, WA
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.52 $24.52
$16.81 $16.81
45.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$98.2 $98.2
$73.5 $73.5
33.56%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.79 $14.79
$11.08 $11.08
33.48%
Cappuccino
$6.52 $6.52
$5.26 $5.26
23.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23 $3.23
$2.93 $2.93
10.24%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17 $3.17
$2.35 $2.35
34.89%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.85 $7.85
$5.49 $5.49
42.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.03 $8.03
$6.69 $6.69
20.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.21 $1.21
$1.09 $1.09
11.01%
White Bread (500g)
$5.14 $5.14
$2.67 $2.67
92.51%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.05 $6.05
$2.74 $2.74
120.80%
Eggs
$4.88 $4.88
$3.39 $3.39
43.95%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.18 $19.18
$10.34 $10.34
85.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$18.91 $18.91
$11.76 $11.76
60.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$23.31 $23.31
$23.00 $23.00
1.35%
Apples (1kg)
$5.99 $5.99
$5.13 $5.13
16.76%
Banana (1kg)
$1.93 $1.93
$1.41 $1.41
36.88%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.25 $5.25
$4.29 $4.29
22.38%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.57 $6.57
$3.75 $3.75
75.20%
Potato (1kg)
$3.62 $3.62
$2.86 $2.86
26.57%
Onion (1kg)
$3.31 $3.31
$2.46 $2.46
34.55%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.78 $2.78
$2.01 $2.01
38.31%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.51 $2.51
$1.93 $1.93
30.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.18 $12.18
$9.58 $9.58
27.14%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.83 $14.83
$13.54 $13.54
9.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.22 $4.22
$1.80 $1.80
134.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.77 $5.77
$1.68 $1.68
243.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Seattle, WA
Cleveland, MS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.95 $2.95
$2.14 $2.14
37.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$106 $106
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.65 $2.65
$2.56 $2.56
3.52%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.72 $1.72
$1.52 $1.52
13.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.72 $29.72
$23.58 $23.58
26.04%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.49 $1.49
$0.92 $0.92
61.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.9K $35.9K
$27.7K $27.7K
29.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$26.7K $26.7K
-1.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$302 $302
$222 $222
36.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$70.1 $70.1
$60.6 $60.6
15.67%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$85.3 $85.3
$68.4 $68.4
24.68%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$77.8 $77.8
$46.22 $46.22
68.41%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.58 $34.58
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$17.84 $17.84
$13.08 $13.08
36.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Seattle, WA
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,973 $2,973
$1,032 $1,032
188.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.3K $31.3K
$19.3K $19.3K
61.99%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.6 $76.6
$50.4 $50.4
51.93%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.1 $54.1
$38.07 $38.07
41.98%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$128 $128
$83.8 $83.8
52.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$164 $164
$152 $152
7.87%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
Cleveland, MS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,445 $2,445
$1,510 $1,510
61.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,947 $1,947
$1,424 $1,424
36.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,744 $4,744
$2,218 $2,218
113.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,469 $3,469
$2,364 $2,364
46.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,367 $7,367
$2,571 $2,571
186.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,127 $5,127
$2,707 $2,707
89.37%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Seattle, WA
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,506 $6,506
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.89
6.75
2.07%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 19, 2026

Last update for Cleveland, MS: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
$1.9K
Cleveland, MS
$1.4K 26.8% $523
Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
$546
Cleveland, MS
$375 31.2% $170
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
$457
Cleveland, MS
$351 23.3% $107
Eating Out
Seattle, WA
$400
Cleveland, MS
$293 26.7% $107
Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
$190
Cleveland, MS
$146 23.3% $44
Getting Around
Seattle, WA
$129
Cleveland, MS
$19 * 85.5% $111
Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
$114
Cleveland, MS
$72 36.2% $41

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,445 in Seattle, WA and $1,510 in Cleveland, MS. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $98.0 in Seattle, WA vs $74.0 in Cleveland, MS for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $546 vs $375 per month, with Cleveland, MS cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Seattle, WA
🇺🇸 Cleveland, MS
🕒 Local time
01:10 1:10 AM
03:10 3:10 AM
2 h ahead of Seattle, WA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
737,015
367,991
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Seattle, WA Cleveland, MS 3,050 km ≈ 4 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Seattle, WA
  • Cleveland, MS

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 Cleveland, MS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland, MS cheaper than Seattle, WA?
Cleveland, MS is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 41% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $5,673 in Seattle, WA and $4,019 in Cleveland, MS to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Seattle, WA and Cleveland, MS?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,445 in Seattle, WA versus $1,510 in Cleveland, MS. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Seattle, WA and in Cleveland, MS?
Supermarket bills run roughly 45% higher in Seattle, WA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Seattle, WA and in Cleveland, MS?
All in, you'll spend $3,782 per month in Seattle, WA versus $2,680 in Cleveland, MS – a 41% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Seattle, WA or in Cleveland, MS?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Cleveland, MS is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is Seattle, WA or Cleveland, MS more family-friendly?
For families, Cleveland, MS is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Seattle, WA, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Seattle, WA or Cleveland, MS?
Safety-wise, Seattle, WA and Cleveland, MS are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Cleveland, MS gentler on the wallet – expenses run 41% less than in Seattle, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Seattle, WA vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?