Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Idaho Falls, ID Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Idaho Falls, ID

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,886 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,232 in Idaho Falls, ID, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,699 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,065 in Idaho Falls, ID, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,513 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,898 in Idaho Falls, ID, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 74% more than Idaho Falls, ID, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Idaho Falls, ID sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 182%, Idaho Falls, ID by 62%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.37 $25.37

$17.96 $17.96

41.26%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$49.57 $49.57

103.69%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.80 $14.80

$10.05 $10.05

47.26%

Cappuccino

$6.63 $6.63

$5.08 $5.08

30.51%

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

$3.08 $3.08

$2.22 $2.22

38.74%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$1.60 $1.60

85.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.94 $7.94

$4.38 $4.38

81.28%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.88 $7.88

$6.95 $6.95

13.38%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$0.72 $0.72

69.44%

White Bread (500g)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.77 $3.77

36.34%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.16 $6.16

$3.02 $3.02

103.97%

Eggs

$5.08 $5.08

$4.20 $4.20

20.95%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.31 $21.31

$12.04 $12.04

76.99%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.42 $18.42

$6.47 $6.47

184.70%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$23.04 $23.04

$10.20 $10.20

125.88%

Apples (1kg)

$6.04 $6.04

$2.19 $2.19

175.80%

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.19 $1.19

57.98%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.20 $5.20

$2.06 $2.06

152.43%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.37 $6.37

$2.11 $2.11

201.90%

Potato (1kg)

$3.78 $3.78

$1.63 $1.63

131.90%

Onion (1kg)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.54 $2.54

29.92%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.87 $2.87

$1.95 $1.95

47.18%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$1.86 $1.86

43.01%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.91 $13.91

$10.31 $10.31

34.92%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.05 $15.05

$7.65 $7.65

96.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.17 $4.17

$1.75 $1.75

138.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.64 $5.64

$1.52 $1.52

271.05%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.97 $2.97

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$107 $107

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.49 $2.49

3.21%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$2.24 $2.24

-26.34%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.49 $29.49

$24.61 $24.61

19.83%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.00 $1.00

46.00%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$35.9K $35.9K

0.36%

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

$25.4K $25.4K

$25.3K $25.3K

0.59%

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

$306 $306

$165 $165

85.28%

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

$70.2 $70.2

$46.50 $46.50

50.88%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$87.4 $87.4

$49.22 $49.22

77.47%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.9 $79.9

$38.08 $38.08

109.87%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.74 $34.74

Cinema Ticket

$17.85 $17.85

$11.28 $11.28

58.24%

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

$3,018 $3,018

$967 $967

212.00%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.1K $31.1K

$20.5K $20.5K

51.84%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$76.6 $76.6

$41.51 $41.51

84.63%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.8 $53.8

$44.61 $44.61

20.67%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$126 $126

$70.4 $70.4

78.66%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$162 $162

$93.4 $93.4

73.81%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,456 $2,456

$1,117 $1,117

119.97%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,981 $1,981

$1,183 $1,183

67.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,881 $4,881

$1,922 $1,922

153.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,625 $3,625

$1,656 $1,656

118.99%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,376 $7,376

$1,850 $1,850

298.65%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,007 $5,007

$1,849 $1,849

170.78%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,165 $6,165

$3,458 $3,458

78.26%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.04

6.79%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: September 7, 2026

Last update for Idaho Falls, ID: September 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,456 in Seattle, WA versus $1,117 in Idaho Falls, ID. 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 78% higher in Seattle, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Seattle, WA versus $50.0 in Idaho Falls, ID. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $551 vs $277 – making Idaho Falls, ID 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 Idaho Falls, ID: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Seattle, WA is pricier by about 74%, 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 $5,829 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,348 in Idaho Falls, ID. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Idaho Falls, ID, 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 $3,886 in Seattle, WA and $2,232 in Idaho Falls, ID. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $3,018 per month in Seattle, WA and $967 in Idaho Falls, ID. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Idaho Falls, ID, where all-in costs run around $2,232, than in Seattle, WA at $3,886. In Idaho Falls, ID it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seattle, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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

If budget matters most, go with Idaho Falls, ID. 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.