😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,886 in Seattle, WA versus $2,794 in Frisco, TX.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,699 in Seattle, WA versus $4,058 in Frisco, TX.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,513 in Seattle, WA versus $5,323 in Frisco, TX.
🌍Living in Seattle, WA is roughly 39% more expensive than in Frisco, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Seattle, WA182% above, Frisco, TX103% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Seattle, WA
Frisco, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.37$25.37
$15.09$15.09
68.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$101$101
$60.2$60.2
67.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.80$14.80
$9.55$9.55
54.97%
Cappuccino
$6.63$6.63
$5.27$5.27
25.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.08$3.08
$2.65$2.65
16.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.96$2.96
$2.28$2.28
29.82%
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
$8.37$8.37
-5.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
Frisco, TX
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22$1.22
$0.94$0.94
29.79%
White Bread(500g)
$5.14$5.14
$3.51$3.51
46.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$6.16$6.16
$3.41$3.41
80.65%
Eggs
$5.08$5.08
$4.22$4.22
20.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$21.31$21.31
$11.28$11.28
88.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$18.42$18.42
$10.73$10.73
71.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$23.04$23.04
$17.68$17.68
30.32%
Apples(1kg)
$6.04$6.04
$4.77$4.77
26.62%
Banana(1kg)
$1.88$1.88
$1.31$1.31
43.51%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.20$5.20
$3.03$3.03
71.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.37$6.37
$4.08$4.08
56.13%
Potato(1kg)
$3.78$3.78
$3.26$3.26
15.95%
Onion(1kg)
$3.30$3.30
$2.88$2.88
14.58%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.87$2.87
$2.00$2.00
43.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.66$2.66
$2.45$2.45
8.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.91$13.91
$7.16$7.16
94.27%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.05$15.05
$14.18$14.18
6.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.17$4.17
$1.78$1.78
134.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.64$5.64
$1.52$1.52
271.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Seattle, WA
Frisco, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.97$2.97
$5.07$5.07
-41.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$107$107
$80.0$80.0
34.39%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.57$2.57
$2.81$2.81
-8.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.65$1.65
$1.22$1.22
35.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.49$29.49
$30.11$30.11
-2.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.46$1.46
$0.88$0.88
65.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.0K$36.0K
$24.8K$24.8K
45.39%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4K$25.4K
$25.9K$25.9K
-1.76%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
Frisco, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$306$306
$244$244
25.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$70.2$70.2
$68.8$68.8
1.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$87.4$87.4
$63.6$63.6
37.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
Frisco, TX
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$79.9$79.9
$41.80$41.80
91.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.74$34.74
$11.80$11.80
194.41%
Cinema Ticket
$17.85$17.85
$15.01$15.01
18.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Seattle, WA
Frisco, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$3,018$3,018
$1,589$1,589
89.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$31.1K$31.1K
$23.7K$23.7K
31.12%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
Frisco, TX
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.6$76.6
$49.03$49.03
56.31%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.8$53.8
$39.14$39.14
37.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$126$126
$72.5$72.5
73.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$162$162
$149$149
9.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
Frisco, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,456$2,456
$1,757$1,757
39.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,981$1,981
$1,398$1,398
41.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,881$4,881
$3,537$3,537
38.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$3,625$3,625
$2,572$2,572
40.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,376$7,376
$3,305$3,305
123.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,007$5,007
$2,304$2,304
117.28%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Seattle, WA
Frisco, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,165$6,165
$6,876$6,876
-10.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.45
6.04
6.79%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Seattle, WA: September 7, 2026
Last update for Frisco, TX: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,456 in Seattle, WA and $1,757 in Frisco, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Frisco, TX pays 12% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $101 in Seattle, WA vs $60.0 in Frisco, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $551 vs $373 per month, with Frisco, TX cheaper across the board.
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 Frisco, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Seattle, WA and in Frisco, TX?
Seattle, WA and Frisco, TX differ by about 39% in total monthly costs ($3,886 vs $2,794 including rent). Frisco, TX is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 12% lower in Frisco, TX. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Seattle, WA and in Frisco, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,456 in Seattle, WA versus $1,757 in Frisco, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 48% higher in Seattle, WA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Frisco, TX – a meal for two runs $60.0 versus $101 in Seattle, WA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Frisco, TX is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Seattle, WA and Frisco, TX?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Seattle, WA or Frisco, TX?
Expats usually find Frisco, TX gentler on the wallet – expenses run 39% less than in Seattle, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Seattle, WA vs other spots: cost of living compared