Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Hickory, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Hickory, NC

😐 Solo nomad: Seattle, WA is 29.5% more expensive than Hickory, NC without rent, and 59.2% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Seattle, WA is 47.7% more expensive than Hickory, NC without rent, and 84.4% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Seattle, WA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.11 $25.11
$19.74 $19.74
27.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$118 $118
$70.4 $70.4
68.31%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.84 $13.84
$10.86 $10.86
27.44%
Cappuccino
$5.8 $5.8
$5.63 $5.63
3.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95 $2.95
$2.77 $2.77
6.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51 $2.51
$2.34 $2.34
7.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.81 $7.81
$5.84 $5.84
33.73%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.84 $7.84
$6.87 $6.87
14.12%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.34 $1.34
$0.95 $0.95
41.05%
White Bread (500g)
$4.98 $4.98
$3.71 $3.71
34.23%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.35 $5.35
$4.59 $4.59
16.56%
Eggs
$6.91 $6.91
$2.47 $2.47
179.76%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$24.8 $24.8
$12.78 $12.78
94.05%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.74 $15.74
$9.12 $9.12
72.59%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.84 $20.84
$19.75 $19.75
5.52%
Apples (1kg)
$6.05 $6.05
$5.62 $5.62
7.65%
Banana (1kg)
$2.75 $2.75
$1.31 $1.31
109.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.47 $5.47
$7.14 $7.14
-23.39%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.45 $6.45
$5.57 $5.57
15.80%
Potato (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$4.84 $4.84
-35.74%
Onion (1kg)
$3.69 $3.69
$3.83 $3.83
-3.66%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.78 $2.78
$1.86 $1.86
49.46%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.52 $2.52
$2.27 $2.27
11.01%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.64 $11.64
$6.81 $6.81
70.93%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.15 $17.15
$15.17 $15.17
13.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.94 $2.94
$1.67 $1.67
76.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.19 $4.19
$3.05 $3.05
37.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Seattle, WA
Hickory, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.8 $2.8
$1.22 $1.22
129.51%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$101 $101
$45.29 $45.29
122.68%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.68 $2.68
$3.45 $3.45
-22.32%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.65 $1.65
$1.53 $1.53
7.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.13 $30.13
$18.18 $18.18
65.73%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 $1.16
$0.75 $0.75
54.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.3K $33.3K
$35.9K $35.9K
-7.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$24.5K $24.5K
7.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$271 $271
$160 $160
69.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.8 $61.8
$54.5 $54.5
13.49%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.2 $75.2
$62.4 $62.4
20.56%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$78.4 $78.4
$35.22 $35.22
122.66%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$41.04 $41.04
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.89 $15.89
$13.19 $13.19
20.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Seattle, WA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,248 $2,248
$1,725 $1,725
30.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$29K $29K
$9,821 $9,821
195.49%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.5 $69.5
$47.16 $47.16
47.46%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.5 $52.5
$45.04 $45.04
16.61%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$120 $120
$96 $96
24.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$142 $142
$139 $139
2.39%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
Hickory, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,376 $2,376
$1,209 $1,209
96.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,829 $1,829
$993 $993
84.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,702 $4,702
$1,870 $1,870
151.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,474 $3,474
$1,323 $1,323
162.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,928 $6,928
$2,218 $2,218
212.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,224 $5,224
$2,110 $2,110
147.59%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Seattle, WA
Hickory, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,473 $6,473
$3,696 $3,696
75.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.42
4.85
32.37%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 29, 2025

Last update for Hickory, NC: October 27, 2025

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