Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Hermosa Beach, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Hermosa Beach, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,661 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,585 in Hermosa Beach, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,544 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,888 in Hermosa Beach, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,427 per month in Seattle, WA vs $5,191 in Hermosa Beach, CA, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 42% more than Hermosa Beach, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Hermosa Beach, CA sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 173%, Hermosa Beach, CA by 93%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.32 $25.32

$21.89 $21.89

15.67%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$121 $121

$100 $100

20.85%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.11 $14.11

$12.05 $12.05

17.10%

Cappuccino

$5.82 $5.82

$5.77 $5.77

0.87%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$2.69 $2.69

10.78%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.40 $2.40

$1.98 $1.98

21.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.73 $7.73

$8.54 $8.54

-9.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.87 $7.87

$8.58 $8.58

-8.28%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.11 $1.11

20.72%

White Bread (500g)

$4.91 $4.91

$4.12 $4.12

19.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.04 $4.04

27.23%

Eggs

$6.57 $6.57

$6.94 $6.94

-5.33%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$24.64 $24.64

$10.44 $10.44

136.02%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.88 $15.88

$8.68 $8.68

82.95%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.14 $20.14

$14.25 $14.25

41.33%

Apples (1kg)

$6.27 $6.27

$3.51 $3.51

78.63%

Banana (1kg)

$2.86 $2.86

$1.86 $1.86

53.76%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$3.98 $3.98

32.91%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$4.92 $4.92

29.88%

Potato (1kg)

$3.21 $3.21

$3.00 $3.00

7.00%

Onion (1kg)

$3.83 $3.83

$2.42 $2.42

58.26%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.44 $1.44

90.28%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.10 $2.10

22.86%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.64 $11.64

$10.92 $10.92

6.59%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.77 $15.77

$15.08 $15.08

4.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.88 $2.88

$2.60 $2.60

10.77%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.18 $3.18

38.05%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.76 $2.76

$1.97 $1.97

40.10%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$98.8 $98.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 $2.67

$3.14 $3.14

-14.97%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.72 $1.72

-1.16%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.74 $29.74

$29.40 $29.40

1.16%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$1.25 $1.25

-8.80%

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

$32.9K $32.9K

$24.0K $24.0K

37.26%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.3K $24.3K

6.76%

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

$268 $268

$186 $186

44.09%

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

$60.9 $60.9

$47.32 $47.32

28.76%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.2 $76.2

$69.5 $69.5

9.59%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.1 $78.1

$43.60 $43.60

79.01%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.15 $40.15

$14.84 $14.84

170.55%

Cinema Ticket

$15.82 $15.82

$15.90 $15.90

-0.50%

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

$2,252 $2,252

$1,636 $1,636

37.72%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.7K $29.7K

$12.5K $12.5K

137.81%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.8 $70.8

$56.8 $56.8

24.57%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.1 $53.1

$34.07 $34.07

55.97%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 $117

$84.8 $84.8

38.27%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$139 $139

$84.1 $84.1

65.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,310 $2,310

$1,615 $1,615

43.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,849 $1,849

$1,377 $1,377

34.27%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,739 $4,739

$2,646 $2,646

79.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,556 $3,556

$2,210 $2,210

60.86%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,775 $7,775

$2,378 $2,378

226.96%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,351 $5,351

$2,486 $2,486

115.20%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,575 $6,575

$7,106 $7,106

-7.47%

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: April 21, 2026

Last update for Hermosa Beach, CA: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,310 in Seattle, WA versus $1,615 in Hermosa Beach, CA. 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 8% higher in Hermosa Beach, CA, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $121 in Seattle, WA versus $100 in Hermosa Beach, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $539 vs $377 – making Hermosa Beach, CA 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 Hermosa Beach, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Seattle, WA is pricier by about 42%, 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 $5,491 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,878 in Hermosa Beach, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Hermosa Beach, CA, 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 $3,661 in Seattle, WA and $2,585 in Hermosa Beach, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,252 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,636 in Hermosa Beach, CA. 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 $3,661 in Seattle, WA and $2,585 in Hermosa Beach, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

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

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 Hermosa Beach, CA. 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.