Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Durham, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Durham, NC

๐Ÿ˜ Solo nomad: Seattle, WA is 32.3% more expensive than Durham, NC without rent, and 38.3% more expensive with rent.
๐Ÿ˜ Family of 3: Seattle, WA is 33.3% more expensive than Durham, NC without rent, and 57.3% more expensive with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Seattle, WA
Durham, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.11 $25.11
$15.14 $15.14
65.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$118 $118
$70.9 $70.9
67.09%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.84 $13.84
$9.95 $9.95
39.10%
Cappuccino
$5.8 $5.8
$4.6 $4.6
26.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95 $2.95
$2.15 $2.15
37.21%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51 $2.51
$1.83 $1.83
37.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.81 $7.81
$5.11 $5.11
52.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.84 $7.84
$6.53 $6.53
20.06%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
Durham, NC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.34 $1.34
$0.86 $0.86
55.81%
White Bread (500g)
$4.98 $4.98
$3.8 $3.8
31.05%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.35 $5.35
$3.68 $3.68
45.38%
Eggs
$6.91 $6.91
$4.41 $4.41
56.69%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$24.8 $24.8
$9.23 $9.23
168.69%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.74 $15.74
$12.48 $12.48
26.12%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.84 $20.84
$15.72 $15.72
32.57%
Apples (1kg)
$6.05 $6.05
$5.53 $5.53
9.40%
Banana (1kg)
$2.75 $2.75
$1.18 $1.18
133.05%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.47 $5.47
$3.74 $3.74
46.26%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.45 $6.45
$3.43 $3.43
88.05%
Potato (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.57 $2.57
21.01%
Onion (1kg)
$3.69 $3.69
$2.81 $2.81
31.32%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.78 $2.78
$1.9 $1.9
46.32%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.52 $2.52
$1.92 $1.92
31.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.64 $11.64
$10.15 $10.15
14.68%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.15 $17.15
$15.17 $15.17
13.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.94 $2.94
$1.75 $1.75
68.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.19 $4.19
$4.22 $4.22
-0.71%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Seattle, WA
Durham, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.8 $2.8
$1.99 $1.99
40.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$101 $101
$25.24 $25.24
299.56%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.68 $2.68
$2.02 $2.02
32.67%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.65 $1.65
$1.52 $1.52
8.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.13 $30.13
$22.79 $22.79
32.21%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 $1.16
$0.87 $0.87
33.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.3K $33.3K
$28.5K $28.5K
16.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$26.2K $26.2K
0.38%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
Durham, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$271 $271
$162 $162
66.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.8 $61.8
$53.6 $53.6
15.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.2 $75.2
$75.3 $75.3
-0.17%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
Durham, NC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$78.4 $78.4
$40.25 $40.25
94.83%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$41.04 $41.04
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.89 $15.89
$12.15 $12.15
30.78%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Seattle, WA
Durham, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,248 $2,248
$1,288 $1,288
74.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$29K $29K
$31.2K $31.2K
-7.08%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
Durham, NC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.5 $69.5
$52.2 $52.2
33.24%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.5 $52.5
$34.49 $34.49
52.28%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$120 $120
$79.5 $79.5
50.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$142 $142
$119 $119
20.10%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
Durham, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,376 $2,376
$1,875 $1,875
26.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,829 $1,829
$1,425 $1,425
28.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,702 $4,702
$2,525 $2,525
86.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,474 $3,474
$2,308 $2,308
50.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,928 $6,928
$2,823 $2,823
145.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,224 $5,224
$2,665 $2,665
96.04%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Seattle, WA
Durham, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,473 $6,473
$4,429 $4,429
46.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.42
6.54
-1.83%

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 Durham, NC: October 27, 2025

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