Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Garland, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Garland, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,621 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,867 in Garland, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,548 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,237 in Garland, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,476 per month in Seattle, WA vs $5,607 in Garland, TX, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 26% more than Garland, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Garland, TX sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 172%, Garland, TX by 115%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.02 $25.02

$17.70 $17.70

41.36%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$118 $118

$74.1 $74.1

59.49%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.76 $13.76

$9.95 $9.95

38.29%

Cappuccino

$5.85 $5.85

$4.71 $4.71

24.20%

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

$3.05 $3.05

$2.61 $2.61

16.86%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.39 $2.39

$1.94 $1.94

23.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.93 $7.93

$5.85 $5.85

35.56%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.85 $7.85

$8.03 $8.03

-2.24%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.02 $1.02

36.27%

White Bread (500g)

$4.86 $4.86

$3.01 $3.01

61.46%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.18 $5.18

$3.50 $3.50

48.00%

Eggs

$6.69 $6.69

$4.98 $4.98

34.34%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.28 $25.28

$11.79 $11.79

114.42%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.92 $15.92

$10.45 $10.45

52.34%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.16 $20.16

$14.64 $14.64

37.70%

Apples (1kg)

$6.19 $6.19

$5.00 $5.00

23.80%

Banana (1kg)

$2.88 $2.88

$1.40 $1.40

105.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.48 $5.48

$3.76 $3.76

45.74%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.38 $6.38

$4.14 $4.14

54.11%

Potato (1kg)

$3.09 $3.09

$2.77 $2.77

11.55%

Onion (1kg)

$3.80 $3.80

$1.89 $1.89

101.06%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.80 $2.80

$1.97 $1.97

42.13%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.61 $2.61

$2.22 $2.22

17.57%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.41 $11.41

$8.96 $8.96

27.34%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.59 $15.59

$10.87 $10.87

43.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$2.39 $2.39

25.10%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.23 $4.23

$3.54 $3.54

19.49%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.98 $2.98

-9.73%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$101 $101

$96.7 $96.7

4.28%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.68 $2.68

$3.06 $3.06

-12.42%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.23 $1.23

38.21%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.50 $29.50

$34.52 $34.52

-14.54%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.81 $0.81

40.74%

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

$33.3K $33.3K

$25.3K $25.3K

31.62%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$26.7K $26.7K

-0.57%

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

$261 $261

$173 $173

51.27%

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

$60.4 $60.4

$47.44 $47.44

27.23%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.8 $75.8

$67.2 $67.2

12.86%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.8 $78.8

$31.20 $31.20

152.60%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.08 $40.08

$16.42 $16.42

144.09%

Cinema Ticket

$15.82 $15.82

$14.83 $14.83

6.68%

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

$2,210 $2,210

$1,312 $1,312

68.47%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.8K $29.8K

$21.9K $21.9K

35.80%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.8 $69.8

$53.8 $53.8

29.89%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.0 $52.0

$29.29 $29.29

77.57%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 $117

$85.7 $85.7

36.61%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$139 $139

$116 $116

19.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,321 $2,321

$2,032 $2,032

14.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,870 $1,870

$1,559 $1,559

19.99%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,728 $4,728

$3,625 $3,625

30.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,569 $3,569

$2,749 $2,749

29.82%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,651 $7,651

$3,221 $3,221

137.51%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,034 $5,034

$1,911 $1,911

163.49%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,516 $6,516

$3,634 $3,634

79.32%

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 26, 2026

Last update for Garland, TX: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,321 in Seattle, WA versus $2,032 in Garland, TX. 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 79% 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 $118 in Seattle, WA versus $74.0 in Garland, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $542 vs $362 – making Garland, TX 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 Garland, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,621 in Seattle, WA, $2,867 in Garland, TX – roughly 26% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,431 per month in Seattle, WA and $4,300 in Garland, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $2,210 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,312 in Garland, TX. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 50% 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.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,621 in Seattle, WA and $2,867 in Garland, TX. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Seattle, WA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,867 in Garland, TX to $3,621 in Seattle, WA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Garland, TX. 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.