Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Highlands Ranch, CO Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Highlands Ranch, CO

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,598 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,466 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,539 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,627 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,479 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,789 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 46% more than Highlands Ranch, CO, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Highlands Ranch, CO sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 168%, Highlands Ranch, CO by 84%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.80 $24.80

$14.85 $14.85

67.00%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$118 $118

$71.9 $71.9

63.78%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.77 $13.77

$9.80 $9.80

40.51%

Cappuccino

$5.71 $5.71

$4.74 $4.74

20.46%

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

$3.05 $3.05

$2.02 $2.02

50.99%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.50 $2.50

$2.42 $2.42

3.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.83 $7.83

$5.02 $5.02

55.98%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.88 $7.88

$5.94 $5.94

32.66%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.35 $1.35

$1.01 $1.01

33.66%

White Bread (500g)

$5.06 $5.06

$3.01 $3.01

68.11%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$3.19 $3.19

68.97%

Eggs

$6.85 $6.85

$4.03 $4.03

69.98%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.07 $25.07

$10.81 $10.81

131.91%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.85 $15.85

$7.12 $7.12

122.61%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.59 $20.59

$16.38 $16.38

25.70%

Apples (1kg)

$6.14 $6.14

$3.81 $3.81

61.15%

Banana (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.55 $1.55

81.94%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.51 $5.51

$4.27 $4.27

29.04%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.74 $6.74

$4.97 $4.97

35.61%

Potato (1kg)

$3.15 $3.15

$2.26 $2.26

39.38%

Onion (1kg)

$3.82 $3.82

$1.97 $1.97

93.91%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.51 $2.51

7.17%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.64 $2.64

$2.03 $2.03

30.05%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.65 $11.65

$9.70 $9.70

20.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.69 $15.69

$19.10 $19.10

-17.85%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.93 $2.93

$2.23 $2.23

31.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.24 $4.24

$2.75 $2.75

54.18%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.99 $1.99

41.71%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$100 $100

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.44 $2.44

6.56%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.39 $1.39

23.74%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.22 $30.22

$25.21 $25.21

19.87%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 $1.19

$0.83 $0.83

43.37%

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

$32.7K $32.7K

$27.9K $27.9K

17.25%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$25.5K $25.5K

2.43%

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

$263 $263

$166 $166

58.15%

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

$60.9 $60.9

$43.71 $43.71

39.28%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.9 $75.9

$76.1 $76.1

-0.25%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.6 $79.6

$42.86 $42.86

85.67%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$39.89 $39.89

Cinema Ticket

$16.27 $16.27

$12.13 $12.13

34.13%

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

$2,281 $2,281

$1,504 $1,504

51.65%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.3K $29.3K

$12.6K $12.6K

131.99%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.6 $68.6

$60.0 $60.0

14.39%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.0 $52.0

$90.7 $90.7

-42.73%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$116 $116

$80.1 $80.1

44.61%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$107 $107

34.27%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,336 $2,336

$1,610 $1,610

45.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,863 $1,863

$1,365 $1,365

36.51%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,628 $4,628

$2,592 $2,592

78.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,477 $3,477

$2,253 $2,253

54.34%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,766 $7,766

$2,472 $2,472

214.22%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,232 $5,232

$2,486 $2,486

110.50%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,617 $6,617

$7,596 $7,596

-12.89%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.59

-2.58%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: May 30, 2026

Last update for Highlands Ranch, CO: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,336 in Seattle, WA versus $1,610 in Highlands Ranch, CO. 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 15% higher in Highlands Ranch, CO, 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 $118 in Seattle, WA versus $72.0 in Highlands Ranch, CO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $547 vs $356 – making Highlands Ranch, CO 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 Highlands Ranch, CO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,598 in Seattle, WA, $2,466 in Highlands Ranch, CO – roughly 46% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,397 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,699 in Highlands Ranch, CO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Highlands Ranch, CO, 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 $3,598 in Seattle, WA and $2,466 in Highlands Ranch, CO. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,281 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,504 in Highlands Ranch, CO. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,598 in Seattle, WA and $2,466 in Highlands Ranch, CO. 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 $2,466 in Highlands Ranch, CO to $3,598 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 Highlands Ranch, CO. 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.