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 $3,604 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,800 in Dana Point, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,549 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,954 in Dana Point, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,494 per month in Seattle, WA vs $7,107 in Dana Point, CA, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 29% 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 170%, Dana Point, CA by 110%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.78 $24.78

$25.26 $25.26

-1.90%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$122 $122

$101 $101

20.29%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.02 $14.02

$11.76 $11.76

19.22%

Cappuccino

$5.56 $5.56

$5.82 $5.82

-4.47%

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

$3.05 $3.05

$2.94 $2.94

3.74%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.39 $2.39

$2.23 $2.23

7.17%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.94 $7.94

$8.22 $8.22

-3.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$9.95 $9.95

-18.69%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.24 $1.24

11.29%

White Bread (500g)

$4.95 $4.95

$4.41 $4.41

12.24%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.35 $5.35

$5.75 $5.75

-6.96%

Eggs

$6.59 $6.59

$4.03 $4.03

63.52%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$24.87 $24.87

$12.52 $12.52

98.64%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.92 $15.92

$13.15 $13.15

21.06%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.21 $20.21

$15.49 $15.49

30.47%

Apples (1kg)

$6.17 $6.17

$5.40 $5.40

14.26%

Banana (1kg)

$2.76 $2.76

$2.71 $2.71

1.85%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$3.56 $3.56

51.12%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.52 $6.52

$4.82 $4.82

35.27%

Potato (1kg)

$3.21 $3.21

$2.91 $2.91

10.31%

Onion (1kg)

$3.75 $3.75

$2.51 $2.51

49.40%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.84 $2.84

$1.85 $1.85

53.51%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.16 $2.16

21.30%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.69 $11.69

$11.81 $11.81

-1.02%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.46 $15.46

$14.91 $14.91

3.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.83 $2.83

$2.62 $2.62

8.02%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.25 $4.25

$3.19 $3.19

33.23%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.76 $2.76

$1.94 $1.94

42.27%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$97.8 $97.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.60 $2.60

$3.03 $3.03

-14.19%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$2.09 $2.09

-21.05%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.77 $29.77

$29.37 $29.37

1.36%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$1.30 $1.30

-12.31%

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

$33.1K $33.1K

$31.1K $31.1K

6.42%

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

$25.9K $25.9K

$26.4K $26.4K

-1.66%

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

$270 $270

$180 $180

49.37%

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

$59.7 $59.7

$66.6 $66.6

-10.43%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.3 $74.3

$69.1 $69.1

7.60%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.7 $77.7

$42.94 $42.94

80.97%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.03 $41.03

Cinema Ticket

$15.78 $15.78

$18.17 $18.17

-13.15%

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

$2,279 $2,279

$1,767 $1,767

28.94%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.8K $29.8K

$23.5K $23.5K

27.24%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.8 $69.8

$62.9 $62.9

11.05%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.3 $52.3

$46.21 $46.21

13.09%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 $117

$103 $103

14.51%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$152 $152

-5.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$3,003 $3,003

-22.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,899 $1,899

$1,361 $1,361

39.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,756 $4,756

$4,962 $4,962

-4.15%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,472 $3,472

$3,954 $3,954

-12.18%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,709 $7,709

$2,696 $2,696

185.92%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,983 $4,983

$2,514 $2,514

98.20%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,641 $6,641

$7,443 $7,443

-10.77%

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: July 19, 2026

Last update for Dana Point, CA: July 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Seattle, WA versus $3,003 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 12% 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 $122 in Seattle, WA versus $101 in Dana Point, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $541 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 29%, 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 $5,407 per month in Seattle, WA and $4,200 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 $3,604 in Seattle, WA and $2,800 in Dana Point, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,279 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,767 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 $3,604 in Seattle, WA and $2,800 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.