Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Kansas City, MO Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Kansas City, MO

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,621 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,362 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,548 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,541 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,476 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,720 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 53% more than Kansas City, MO, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Kansas City, MO sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 172%, Kansas City, MO by 77%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.02 $25.02

$20.23 $20.23

23.68%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$118 $118

$80.1 $80.1

47.58%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.76 $13.76

$11.81 $11.81

16.51%

Cappuccino

$5.85 $5.85

$4.77 $4.77

22.64%

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

$3.05 $3.05

$2.30 $2.30

32.61%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.39 $2.39

$1.89 $1.89

26.46%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.93 $7.93

$5.88 $5.88

34.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.85 $7.85

$6.94 $6.94

13.11%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.19 $1.19

16.81%

White Bread (500g)

$4.86 $4.86

$3.50 $3.50

38.86%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.18 $5.18

$5.10 $5.10

1.57%

Eggs

$6.69 $6.69

$3.66 $3.66

82.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.28 $25.28

$14.05 $14.05

79.93%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.92 $15.92

$10.68 $10.68

49.06%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.16 $20.16

$12.79 $12.79

57.62%

Apples (1kg)

$6.19 $6.19

$4.49 $4.49

37.86%

Banana (1kg)

$2.88 $2.88

$1.49 $1.49

93.29%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.48 $5.48

$6.59 $6.59

-16.84%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.38 $6.38

$6.49 $6.49

-1.69%

Potato (1kg)

$3.09 $3.09

$3.62 $3.62

-14.64%

Onion (1kg)

$3.80 $3.80

$3.69 $3.69

2.98%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.20 $2.20

27.27%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.61 $2.61

$2.78 $2.78

-6.12%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.41 $11.41

$6.97 $6.97

63.70%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.59 $15.59

$15.45 $15.45

0.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.99 $1.99

50.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.23 $4.23

$5.35 $5.35

-20.93%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.01 $2.01

33.83%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$101 $101

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.68 $2.68

$2.45 $2.45

9.39%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$2.15 $2.15

-20.93%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.50 $29.50

$21.36 $21.36

38.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.81 $0.81

40.74%

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

$33.3K $33.3K

$36.4K $36.4K

-8.37%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$25.9K $25.9K

2.33%

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

$261 $261

$214 $214

22.11%

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

$60.4 $60.4

$61.1 $61.1

-1.23%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.8 $75.8

$54.2 $54.2

39.85%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.8 $78.8

$57.5 $57.5

36.99%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.08 $40.08

$29.53 $29.53

35.73%

Cinema Ticket

$15.82 $15.82

$14.87 $14.87

6.39%

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

$2,210 $2,210

$1,388 $1,388

59.17%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.8K $29.8K

$28.9K $28.9K

3.00%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.8 $69.8

$53.9 $53.9

29.68%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.0 $52.0

$42.46 $42.46

22.49%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 $117

$103 $103

13.11%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$139 $139

$124 $124

12.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,321 $2,321

$1,336 $1,336

73.65%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,870 $1,870

$1,058 $1,058

76.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,728 $4,728

$2,365 $2,365

99.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,569 $3,569

$1,672 $1,672

113.42%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,651 $7,651

$2,545 $2,545

200.65%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,034 $5,034

$1,958 $1,958

157.06%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,516 $6,516

$3,869 $3,869

68.43%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.5

-1.23%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: July 26, 2026

Last update for Kansas City, MO: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,321 in Seattle, WA versus $1,336 in Kansas City, MO. 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 68% 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 $118 in Seattle, WA versus $80.0 in Kansas City, MO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $542 vs $418 – making Kansas City, MO 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 Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,621 in Seattle, WA, $2,362 in Kansas City, MO – roughly 53% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,431 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,543 in Kansas City, MO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Kansas City, MO, 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 $3,621 in Seattle, WA and $2,362 in Kansas City, MO. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,210 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,388 in Kansas City, MO. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Kansas City, MO, where all-in costs run around $2,362, than in Seattle, WA at $3,621. In Kansas City, MO it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seattle, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Seattle, WA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,362 in Kansas City, MO to $3,621 in Seattle, WA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Kansas City, MO. 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.