Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and East Chicago, IN Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and East Chicago, IN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,886 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,605 in East Chicago, IN, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,699 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,763 in East Chicago, IN, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,513 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,920 in East Chicago, IN, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 49% more than East Chicago, IN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and East Chicago, IN sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 182%, East Chicago, IN by 89%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.37 $25.37

$22.18 $22.18

14.38%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$80.9 $80.9

24.78%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.80 $14.80

$11.31 $11.31

30.86%

Cappuccino

$6.63 $6.63

$5.00 $5.00

32.60%

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

$3.08 $3.08

$2.43 $2.43

26.75%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$2.11 $2.11

40.28%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.94 $7.94

$6.85 $6.85

15.91%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.88 $7.88

$7.93 $7.93

-0.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.04 $1.04

17.31%

White Bread (500g)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.55 $3.55

44.79%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.16 $6.16

$4.43 $4.43

39.05%

Eggs

$5.08 $5.08

$4.21 $4.21

20.67%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.31 $21.31

$11.23 $11.23

89.76%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.42 $18.42

$12.46 $12.46

47.83%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$23.04 $23.04

$16.41 $16.41

40.40%

Apples (1kg)

$6.04 $6.04

$4.86 $4.86

24.28%

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.74 $1.74

8.05%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.20 $5.20

$4.33 $4.33

20.09%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.37 $6.37

$4.69 $4.69

35.82%

Potato (1kg)

$3.78 $3.78

$2.77 $2.77

36.46%

Onion (1kg)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.97 $2.97

11.11%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.87 $2.87

$2.44 $2.44

17.62%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.23 $2.23

19.28%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.91 $13.91

$9.42 $9.42

47.66%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.05 $15.05

$13.81 $13.81

8.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.17 $4.17

$1.92 $1.92

117.19%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.64 $5.64

$3.11 $3.11

81.35%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.97 $2.97

$2.16 $2.16

37.50%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$107 $107

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.62 $2.62

-1.91%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.64 $1.64

0.61%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.49 $29.49

$27.52 $27.52

7.16%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 $1.46

$0.92 $0.92

58.70%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$35.6K $35.6K

1.36%

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

$25.4K $25.4K

$22.2K $22.2K

14.46%

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

$306 $306

$198 $198

54.53%

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

$70.2 $70.2

$58.6 $58.6

19.79%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$87.4 $87.4

$70.3 $70.3

24.24%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.9 $79.9

$43.65 $43.65

83.09%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.74 $34.74

Cinema Ticket

$17.85 $17.85

$12.48 $12.48

43.03%

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

$3,018 $3,018

$1,348 $1,348

123.92%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.1K $31.1K

$26.4K $26.4K

17.68%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$76.6 $76.6

$55.3 $55.3

38.49%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.8 $53.8

$36.70 $36.70

46.68%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$126 $126

$94.9 $94.9

32.48%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$162 $162

$127 $127

27.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,456 $2,456

$1,598 $1,598

53.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,981 $1,981

$1,294 $1,294

53.00%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,881 $4,881

$2,499 $2,499

95.33%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,625 $3,625

$2,100 $2,100

72.64%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,376 $7,376

$2,459 $2,459

199.94%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,007 $5,007

$2,173 $2,173

130.39%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,165 $6,165

$4,119 $4,119

49.66%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.12

5.39%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: September 7, 2026

Last update for East Chicago, IN: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,456 in Seattle, WA versus $1,598 in East Chicago, IN. 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 50% higher in Seattle, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Seattle, WA versus $81.0 in East Chicago, IN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $551 vs $395 – making East Chicago, IN 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 East Chicago, IN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Seattle, WA is pricier by about 49%, 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 $5,829 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,908 in East Chicago, IN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in East Chicago, IN, 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 $3,886 in Seattle, WA and $2,605 in East Chicago, IN. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $3,018 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,348 in East Chicago, IN. 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 $3,886 in Seattle, WA and $2,605 in East Chicago, IN. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

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

If budget matters most, go with East Chicago, IN. 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.