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 $3,604 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,524 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,549 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,638 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,494 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,751 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 43% 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 170%, Highlands Ranch, CO by 89%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.78 $24.78

$15.15 $15.15

63.56%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$122 $122

$72.0 $72.0

69.15%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.02 $14.02

$9.83 $9.83

42.62%

Cappuccino

$5.56 $5.56

$4.71 $4.71

18.05%

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

$3.05 $3.05

$1.97 $1.97

54.82%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.39 $2.39

$2.37 $2.37

0.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.94 $7.94

$4.91 $4.91

61.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$6.15 $6.15

31.54%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.05 $1.05

31.43%

White Bread (500g)

$4.95 $4.95

$3.12 $3.12

58.65%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.35 $5.35

$3.32 $3.32

61.14%

Eggs

$6.59 $6.59

$4.26 $4.26

54.69%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$24.87 $24.87

$10.83 $10.83

129.64%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.92 $15.92

$7.32 $7.32

117.49%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.21 $20.21

$16.62 $16.62

21.60%

Apples (1kg)

$6.17 $6.17

$3.86 $3.86

59.84%

Banana (1kg)

$2.76 $2.76

$1.49 $1.49

85.23%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$4.26 $4.26

26.29%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.52 $6.52

$4.94 $4.94

31.98%

Potato (1kg)

$3.21 $3.21

$2.32 $2.32

38.36%

Onion (1kg)

$3.75 $3.75

$1.90 $1.90

97.37%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.40 $2.40

18.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.03 $2.03

29.06%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.69 $11.69

$9.72 $9.72

20.27%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.46 $15.46

$19.07 $19.07

-18.93%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.83 $2.83

$2.29 $2.29

23.58%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.25 $4.25

$2.69 $2.69

57.99%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.76 $2.76

$1.95 $1.95

41.54%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$97.8 $97.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.53 $2.53

2.77%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.44 $1.44

14.58%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.77 $29.77

$25.44 $25.44

17.02%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.86 $0.86

32.56%

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

$33.1K $33.1K

$27.3K $27.3K

21.36%

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

$25.9K $25.9K

$26.1K $26.1K

-0.65%

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

$270 $270

$164 $164

64.58%

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

$59.7 $59.7

$42.34 $42.34

40.93%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.3 $74.3

$78.0 $78.0

-4.66%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.7 $77.7

$42.56 $42.56

82.59%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.03 $41.03

Cinema Ticket

$15.78 $15.78

$12.05 $12.05

30.95%

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

$2,279 $2,279

$1,507 $1,507

51.22%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.8K $29.8K

$12.4K $12.4K

140.29%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.8 $69.8

$58.8 $58.8

18.70%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.3 $52.3

$89.9 $89.9

-41.86%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 $117

$78.5 $78.5

49.55%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$107 $107

33.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$1,586 $1,586

47.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,899 $1,899

$1,344 $1,344

41.35%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,756 $4,756

$2,615 $2,615

81.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,472 $3,472

$2,205 $2,205

57.51%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,709 $7,709

$3,131 $3,131

146.19%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,983 $4,983

$2,601 $2,601

91.56%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,641 $6,641

$7,614 $7,614

-12.77%

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: July 19, 2026

Last update for Highlands Ranch, CO: July 19, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Seattle, WA versus $1,586 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 $122 in Seattle, WA versus $72.0 in Highlands Ranch, CO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $541 vs $361 – 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: $3,604 in Seattle, WA, $2,524 in Highlands Ranch, CO – roughly 43% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,407 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,786 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 $3,604 in Seattle, WA and $2,524 in Highlands Ranch, CO. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,279 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,507 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 $3,604 in Seattle, WA and $2,524 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 $2,524 in Highlands Ranch, CO to $3,604 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.