Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and East Rutherford, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and East Rutherford, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,886 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,298 in East Rutherford, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,699 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,836 in East Rutherford, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,513 per month in Seattle, WA vs $5,373 in East Rutherford, NJ, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 69% more than East Rutherford, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Seattle, WA and East Rutherford, NJ sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 182%, East Rutherford, NJ by 67%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.37 $25.37

$21.65 $21.65

17.18%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$102 $102

-0.91%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.80 $14.80

$11.12 $11.12

33.09%

Cappuccino

$6.63 $6.63

$5.09 $5.09

30.26%

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

$3.08 $3.08

$2.12 $2.12

45.28%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$1.96 $1.96

51.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.94 $7.94

$5.91 $5.91

34.35%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.88 $7.88

$7.90 $7.90

-0.25%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.33 $1.33

-8.27%

White Bread (500g)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.75 $3.75

37.07%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.16 $6.16

$7.78 $7.78

-20.82%

Eggs

$5.08 $5.08

$5.01 $5.01

1.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.31 $21.31

$12.43 $12.43

71.44%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.42 $18.42

$11.98 $11.98

53.76%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$23.04 $23.04

$17.55 $17.55

31.28%

Apples (1kg)

$6.04 $6.04

$5.47 $5.47

10.42%

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.69 $1.69

11.24%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.20 $5.20

$5.15 $5.15

0.97%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.37 $6.37

$5.07 $5.07

25.64%

Potato (1kg)

$3.78 $3.78

$2.85 $2.85

32.63%

Onion (1kg)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.07 $3.07

7.49%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.87 $2.87

$2.42 $2.42

18.60%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.40 $2.40

10.83%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.91 $13.91

$13.20 $13.20

5.38%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.05 $15.05

$24.41 $24.41

-38.34%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.17 $4.17

$1.72 $1.72

142.44%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.64 $5.64

$4.47 $4.47

26.17%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.97 $2.97

$2.00 $2.00

48.50%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$107 $107

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.67 $2.67

-3.75%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.55 $1.55

6.45%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.49 $29.49

$24.05 $24.05

22.62%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.05 $1.05

39.05%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$35.7K $35.7K

0.85%

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

$25.4K $25.4K

$25.7K $25.7K

-1.09%

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

$306 $306

$211 $211

45.29%

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

$70.2 $70.2

$63.4 $63.4

10.71%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$87.4 $87.4

$67.7 $67.7

29.03%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.9 $79.9

$42.07 $42.07

89.97%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.74 $34.74

Cinema Ticket

$17.85 $17.85

$14.82 $14.82

20.45%

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

$3,018 $3,018

$2,211 $2,211

36.53%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.1K $31.1K

$23.9K $23.9K

30.20%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$76.6 $76.6

$40.52 $40.52

89.14%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.8 $53.8

$46.80 $46.80

15.02%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$126 $126

$76.3 $76.3

64.87%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$162 $162

$157 $157

3.15%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,456 $2,456

$1,119 $1,119

119.46%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,981 $1,981

$938 $938

111.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,881 $4,881

$2,775 $2,775

75.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,625 $3,625

$2,274 $2,274

59.46%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,376 $7,376

$3,142 $3,142

134.72%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,007 $5,007

$2,261 $2,261

121.45%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,165 $6,165

$5,001 $5,001

23.29%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.17

4.54%

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 Rutherford, NJ: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,456 in Seattle, WA versus $1,119 in East Rutherford, NJ. 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 23% 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 $102 in East Rutherford, NJ. Groceries tell a different story – $551 in Seattle, WA vs $455 in East Rutherford, NJ – so East Rutherford, NJ wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Rutherford, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle, WA costs about 69% more than East Rutherford, NJ, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,829 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,447 in East Rutherford, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Seattle, WA and $102 in East Rutherford, NJ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 21% more in Seattle, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in East Rutherford, NJ, where all-in costs run around $2,298, than in Seattle, WA at $3,886. In East Rutherford, NJ it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seattle, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. East Rutherford, NJ costs $2,298 versus $3,886 in Seattle, WA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with East Rutherford, NJ. 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.