Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Costa Mesa, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Costa Mesa, CA

๐Ÿ˜ Solo nomad: Seattle, WA is 27.4% more expensive than Costa Mesa, CA without rent, and 5.9% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ˜ Family of 3: Seattle, WA is 25.3% more expensive than Costa Mesa, CA without rent, and 13.6% more expensive with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Seattle, WA
Costa Mesa, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.11 $25.11
$19.92 $19.92
26.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$118 $118
$79.2 $79.2
49.46%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.84 $13.84
$11.8 $11.8
17.29%
Cappuccino
$5.8 $5.8
$5.32 $5.32
9.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95 $2.95
$3.35 $3.35
-11.94%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51 $2.51
$2.23 $2.23
12.56%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.81 $7.81
$7.04 $7.04
10.94%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.84 $7.84
$7.9 $7.9
-0.76%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
Costa Mesa, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.34 $1.34
$1.12 $1.12
19.64%
White Bread (500g)
$4.98 $4.98
$4.08 $4.08
22.06%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.35 $5.35
$4.31 $4.31
24.13%
Eggs
$6.91 $6.91
$4.93 $4.93
40.16%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$24.8 $24.8
$10.55 $10.55
135.07%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.74 $15.74
$8.47 $8.47
85.83%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.84 $20.84
$14.27 $14.27
46.04%
Apples (1kg)
$6.05 $6.05
$4.52 $4.52
33.85%
Banana (1kg)
$2.75 $2.75
$1.96 $1.96
40.31%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.47 $5.47
$4.5 $4.5
21.56%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.45 $6.45
$5.48 $5.48
17.70%
Potato (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$4.37 $4.37
-28.83%
Onion (1kg)
$3.69 $3.69
$2.85 $2.85
29.47%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.78 $2.78
$2.08 $2.08
33.65%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.52 $2.52
$2.12 $2.12
18.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.64 $11.64
$10.79 $10.79
7.88%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.15 $17.15
$13.46 $13.46
27.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.94 $2.94
$2 $2
47.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.19 $4.19
$3.41 $3.41
22.87%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Seattle, WA
Costa Mesa, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.8 $2.8
$2.04 $2.04
37.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$101 $101
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.68 $2.68
$6.56 $6.56
-59.15%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.65 $1.65
$2.81 $2.81
-41.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.13 $30.13
$29.36 $29.36
2.62%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 $1.16
$1.25 $1.25
-7.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.3K $33.3K
$24K $24K
38.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$24.6K $24.6K
6.87%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
Costa Mesa, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$271 $271
$291 $291
-6.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.8 $61.8
$52.8 $52.8
16.99%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.2 $75.2
$60.5 $60.5
24.33%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
Costa Mesa, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$78.4 $78.4
$39.34 $39.34
99.34%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$41.04 $41.04
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.89 $15.89
$14.91 $14.91
6.57%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Seattle, WA
Costa Mesa, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,248 $2,248
$1,206 $1,206
86.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$29K $29K
$23.9K $23.9K
21.59%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
Costa Mesa, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.5 $69.5
$55.6 $55.6
25.16%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.5 $52.5
$34.5 $34.5
52.23%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$120 $120
$87.3 $87.3
36.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$142 $142
$102 $102
39.30%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
Costa Mesa, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,376 $2,376
$2,804 $2,804
-15.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,829 $1,829
$2,474 $2,474
-26.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,702 $4,702
$3,947 $3,947
19.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,474 $3,474
$3,887 $3,887
-10.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,928 $6,928
$2,932 $2,932
136.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,224 $5,224
$2,360 $2,360
121.34%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Seattle, WA
Costa Mesa, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,473 $6,473
$6,322 $6,322
2.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.42
6.58
-2.43%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 29, 2025

Last update for Costa Mesa, CA: October 28, 2025

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