Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Geneva, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Geneva, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,836 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,392 in Geneva, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,763 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,508 in Geneva, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,691 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,624 in Geneva, IL, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 60% more than Geneva, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Geneva, IL sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 179%, Geneva, IL by 74%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.68 $24.68

$13.85 $13.85

78.19%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.1 $99.1

$65.9 $65.9

50.43%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.09 $15.09

$11.96 $11.96

26.17%

Cappuccino

$6.62 $6.62

$5.44 $5.44

21.69%

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

$3.13 $3.13

$3.03 $3.03

3.30%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 $2.98

$2.34 $2.34

27.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.12 $8.12

$5.83 $5.83

39.28%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.85 $7.85

$7.72 $7.72

1.68%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.78 $0.78

50.00%

White Bread (500g)

$5.20 $5.20

$2.78 $2.78

87.05%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.40 $6.40

$2.95 $2.95

116.95%

Eggs

$4.91 $4.91

$3.59 $3.59

36.77%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.46 $21.46

$7.80 $7.80

175.13%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.58 $18.58

$11.35 $11.35

63.70%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$23.05 $23.05

$10.53 $10.53

118.90%

Apples (1kg)

$5.79 $5.79

$5.02 $5.02

15.34%

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.64 $1.64

14.63%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$3.43 $3.43

56.85%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.30 $6.30

$5.00 $5.00

26.00%

Potato (1kg)

$3.80 $3.80

$1.77 $1.77

114.69%

Onion (1kg)

$3.26 $3.26

$3.17 $3.17

2.84%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.87 $2.87

$1.61 $1.61

78.26%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.71 $2.71

$2.41 $2.41

12.45%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.15 $14.15

$10.78 $10.78

31.26%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.07 $15.07

$8.26 $8.26

82.45%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.36 $4.36

$1.71 $1.71

154.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.75 $5.75

$4.53 $4.53

26.93%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.15 $2.15

42.33%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$110 $110

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 $2.57

$4.07 $4.07

-36.86%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.98 $1.98

-16.67%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.88 $29.88

$42.95 $42.95

-30.43%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.03 $1.03

33.98%

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

$36.4K $36.4K

$24.0K $24.0K

51.69%

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

$25.1K $25.1K

$25.3K $25.3K

-0.75%

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

$296 $296

$177 $177

67.57%

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

$71.3 $71.3

$50.8 $50.8

40.25%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$88.0 $88.0

$68.1 $68.1

29.09%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$81.5 $81.5

$37.93 $37.93

114.79%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.70 $35.70

Cinema Ticket

$18.33 $18.33

$12.03 $12.03

52.37%

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

$3,067 $3,067

$1,492 $1,492

105.62%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.6K $30.6K

$23.5K $23.5K

29.79%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$77.0 $77.0

$56.7 $56.7

35.89%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.0 $54.0

$50.4 $50.4

7.02%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 $128

$87.7 $87.7

45.52%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$165 $165

$123 $123

33.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,418 $2,418

$1,509 $1,509

60.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,931 $1,931

$1,129 $1,129

71.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,756 $4,756

$2,162 $2,162

119.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,584 $3,584

$2,170 $2,170

65.22%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,403 $7,403

$2,630 $2,630

181.54%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,056 $5,056

$2,230 $2,230

126.77%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,320 $6,320

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.16

4.22%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: August 31, 2026

Last update for Geneva, IL: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,418 in Seattle, WA versus $1,509 in Geneva, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Seattle, WA versus $66.0 in Geneva, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $554 vs $328 – making Geneva, IL 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 Geneva, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,836 in Seattle, WA, $2,392 in Geneva, IL – roughly 60% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,754 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,588 in Geneva, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Geneva, IL, 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 $3,836 in Seattle, WA and $2,392 in Geneva, IL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $3,067 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,492 in Geneva, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Geneva, IL, where all-in costs run around $2,392, than in Seattle, WA at $3,836. In Geneva, IL it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seattle, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Seattle, WA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,392 in Geneva, IL to $3,836 in Seattle, WA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Geneva, IL. 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.