Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Dana Point, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Dana Point, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,661 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,696 in Dana Point, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,544 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,881 in Dana Point, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,427 per month in Seattle, WA vs $7,066 in Dana Point, CA, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 36% more than Dana Point, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Dana Point, CA sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 173%, Dana Point, CA by 101%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.32 $25.32

$24.79 $24.79

2.14%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$121 $121

$100 $100

20.61%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.11 $14.11

$12.20 $12.20

15.66%

Cappuccino

$5.82 $5.82

$5.81 $5.81

0.17%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$2.96 $2.96

0.68%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.40 $2.40

$2.22 $2.22

8.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.73 $7.73

$8.19 $8.19

-5.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.87 $7.87

$10.07 $10.07

-21.85%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.18 $1.18

13.56%

White Bread (500g)

$4.91 $4.91

$4.40 $4.40

11.59%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.03 $6.03

-14.76%

Eggs

$6.57 $6.57

$4.01 $4.01

63.84%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$24.64 $24.64

$12.76 $12.76

93.10%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.88 $15.88

$13.44 $13.44

18.15%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.14 $20.14

$15.22 $15.22

32.33%

Apples (1kg)

$6.27 $6.27

$5.34 $5.34

17.42%

Banana (1kg)

$2.86 $2.86

$2.62 $2.62

9.16%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$3.56 $3.56

48.60%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$4.72 $4.72

35.38%

Potato (1kg)

$3.21 $3.21

$3.00 $3.00

7.00%

Onion (1kg)

$3.83 $3.83

$2.44 $2.44

56.97%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.84 $1.84

48.91%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.15 $2.15

20.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.64 $11.64

Wine (Bottle)

$15.77 $15.77

$14.71 $14.71

7.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.88 $2.88

$2.55 $2.55

12.94%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.30 $3.30

33.03%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.76 $2.76

$1.97 $1.97

40.10%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$98.8 $98.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 $2.67

$3.18 $3.18

-16.04%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$2.06 $2.06

-17.48%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.74 $29.74

$29.49 $29.49

0.85%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$1.28 $1.28

-10.94%

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

$32.9K $32.9K

$32.3K $32.3K

1.93%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$27.2K $27.2K

-4.43%

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

$268 $268

$186 $186

44.09%

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

$60.9 $60.9

$66.9 $66.9

-8.91%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.2 $76.2

$69.6 $69.6

9.47%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.1 $78.1

$42.39 $42.39

84.12%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.15 $40.15

Cinema Ticket

$15.82 $15.82

$17.79 $17.79

-11.07%

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

$2,252 $2,252

$1,780 $1,780

26.55%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.7K $29.7K

$23.4K $23.4K

26.74%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.8 $70.8

$63.1 $63.1

12.12%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.1 $53.1

$46.63 $46.63

13.96%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 $117

$101 $101

16.42%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$139 $139

$151 $151

-7.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,310 $2,310

$2,963 $2,963

-22.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,849 $1,849

$1,364 $1,364

35.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,739 $4,739

$4,973 $4,973

-4.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,556 $3,556

$4,004 $4,004

-11.20%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,775 $7,775

$10.0K $10.0K

-22.41%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,351 $5,351

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,575 $6,575

$7,485 $7,485

-12.15%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.49

-1.08%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: April 21, 2026

Last update for Dana Point, CA: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,310 in Seattle, WA versus $2,963 in Dana Point, CA. 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 14% higher in Dana Point, CA, 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 $121 in Seattle, WA versus $100 in Dana Point, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $539 vs $423 – making Dana Point, CA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Dana Point, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Seattle, WA is pricier by about 36%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,491 per month in Seattle, WA and $4,043 in Dana Point, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Dana Point, CA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,661 in Seattle, WA and $2,696 in Dana Point, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,252 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,780 in Dana Point, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,661 in Seattle, WA and $2,696 in Dana Point, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Dana Point, CA – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

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