Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Colima

For one person, living is cheaper in Colima: $952 a month against $3,800 in Seattle, WA, rent and utilities included – about $34,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Seattle, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,800
/mo nomad
Colima
🇲🇽 Mexico
$952
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Seattle, WA and in Colima

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,800 in Seattle, WA versus $952 in Colima.

  • Seattle, WA $3,800
  • Colima $952

Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,702 in Seattle, WA versus $1,562 in Colima.

  • Seattle, WA $5,702
  • Colima $1,562

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,603 in Seattle, WA versus $2,173 in Colima.

  • Seattle, WA $7,603
  • Colima $2,173

Living in Seattle, WA is roughly 299% more expensive than in Colima, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Seattle, WA is 182% above, Colima is 29% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Seattle, WA
Colima
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.32 $25.32
$7.58 MX$140
234.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$101 $101
$33.52 MX$619
202.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.85 $14.85
$7.16 MX$132
107.40%
Cappuccino
$6.59 $6.59
$2.24 MX$41.33
194.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.22 $3.22
$1.00 MX$18.48
222.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14 $3.14
$0.84 MX$15.45
273.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.18 $8.18
$2.23 MX$41.16
266.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.03 $8.03
$2.45 MX$45.24
227.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
Colima
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.21 $1.21
$1.55 MX$28.57
-21.94%
White Bread (500g)
$5.12 $5.12
$2.64 MX$48.76
93.94%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.30 $6.30
$1.21 MX$22.40
420.66%
Eggs
$4.90 $4.90
$2.76 MX$51.0
77.54%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.10 $19.10
$8.01 MX$148
138.45%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$18.50 $18.50
$8.35 MX$154
121.56%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$23.03 $23.03
$9.86 MX$182
133.57%
Apples (1kg)
$5.81 $5.81
$2.85 MX$52.7
103.86%
Banana (1kg)
$1.95 $1.95
$1.44 MX$26.63
35.42%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.29 $5.29
$1.78 MX$32.82
197.19%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.48 $6.48
$2.26 MX$41.70
186.73%
Potato (1kg)
$3.57 $3.57
$2.30 MX$42.50
55.22%
Onion (1kg)
$3.15 $3.15
$2.30 MX$42.58
36.96%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.85 $2.85
$1.43 MX$26.36
99.30%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$1.09 MX$20.09
122.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.75 $12.75
$3.61 MX$66.8
253.19%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.99 $14.99
$6.76 MX$125
121.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.17 $4.17
$1.56 MX$28.83
167.31%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.99 $5.99
$1.77 MX$32.64
238.42%
🚌 Getting Around
Seattle, WA
Colima
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.04 $3.04
$0.63 MX$11.73
382.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$110 $110
$19.51 MX$361
464.12%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.55 $2.55
$2.40 MX$44.35
6.25%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.64 $1.64
$2.82 MX$52.1
-41.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.58 $29.58
$9.41 MX$174
214.35%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.43 MX$26.45
-0.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.7K $35.7K
$20.9K MX$386.3K
71.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6K $25.6K
$22.7K MX$419.1K
12.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
Colima
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$299 $299
$64.9 MX$1,198
361.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$70.8 $70.8
$20.24 MX$374
249.90%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$88.3 $88.3
$29.71 MX$549
197.24%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
Colima
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$79.5 $79.5
$35.28 MX$652
125.37%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.37 $35.37
$21.72 MX$401
62.85%
Cinema Ticket
$17.12 $17.12
$4.63 MX$85.6
269.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Seattle, WA
Colima
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,013 $3,013
$147 MX$2,712
1953.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.6K $31.6K
$2,496 MX$46.1K
1167.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
Colima
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.2 $77.2
$45.09 MX$833
71.30%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.1 $55.1
$25.11 MX$464
119.47%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$126 $126
$74.1 MX$1,369
69.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$163 $163
$102 MX$1,884
59.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
Colima
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,464 $2,464
$262 MX$4,849
839.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,956 $1,956
$261 MX$4,831
648.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,711 $4,711
$369 MX$6,826
1175.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,550 $3,550
$589 MX$10.9K
502.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,346 $7,346
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,048 $5,048
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Seattle, WA
Colima
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,286 $6,286
$287 MX$5,301
2091.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.85
11.3
-39.38%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 13, 2026

Last update for Colima: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
$2K
Colima
$261 86.6% $1.7K
Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
$542
Colima
$250 53.9% $292
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
$458
Colima
$115 74.9% $343
Eating Out
Seattle, WA
$409
Colima
$132 67.6% $276
Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
$189
Colima
$111 41.5% $78
Getting Around
Seattle, WA
$133
Colima
$39 71% $94
Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
$114
Colima
$45 60.8% $69

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,464 in Seattle, WA and $262 in Colima. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Seattle, WA pays 2091% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $101 in Seattle, WA vs $34.00 in Colima for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $542 vs $250 per month, with Colima cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Seattle, WA
🇲🇽 Colima
🕒 Local time
00:32 12:32 AM
01:32 1:32 AM
1 h ahead of Seattle, WA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
737,015
146,965
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

MXN, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 18.48 MXN (100 MXN = 5.41 USD). 1 EUR = 20.77 MXN (100 MXN = 4.81 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Seattle, WA Colima 3,570 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Seattle, WA
  • Colima

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 Colima: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Seattle, WA and in Colima?
Seattle, WA and Colima differ by about 299% in total monthly costs ($3,800 vs $952 including rent). Colima is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Seattle, WA or Colima?
Average pay runs 2091% higher in Seattle, WA, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Seattle, WA and in Colima?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,464 in Seattle, WA versus $262 in Colima. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Seattle, WA and in Colima?
A monthly transit pass in Colima runs roughly 464% less than in Seattle, WA. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Seattle, WA and Colima?
Childcare runs $3,013 in Seattle, WA versus $147 in Colima. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $952 in Colima versus $3,800 in Seattle, WA, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Colima but tight or insufficient in Seattle, WA. The gap between the two cities makes Colima the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Seattle, WA and Colima?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Seattle, WA or Colima safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Seattle, WA and Colima are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Seattle, WA or Colima?
Expats usually find Colima gentler on the wallet – expenses run 299% 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

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