Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Key West, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Key West, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,836 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,796 in Key West, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,763 per month in Seattle, WA vs $6,948 in Key West, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,691 per month in Seattle, WA vs $9,100 in Key West, FL, rent included.

Seattle, WA is about 20% cheaper than Key West, FL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Key West, FL sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 179%, Key West, FL by 249%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.68 $24.68

$21.66 $21.66

13.94%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.1 $99.1

$99.4 $99.4

-0.26%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.09 $15.09

$11.95 $11.95

26.28%

Cappuccino

$6.62 $6.62

$4.64 $4.64

42.67%

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

$3.13 $3.13

$2.35 $2.35

33.19%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 $2.98

$1.91 $1.91

56.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.12 $8.12

$5.84 $5.84

39.04%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.85 $7.85

$6.82 $6.82

15.10%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.04 $1.04

12.50%

White Bread (500g)

$5.20 $5.20

$3.63 $3.63

43.25%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.40 $6.40

$6.53 $6.53

-1.99%

Eggs

$4.91 $4.91

$5.42 $5.42

-9.41%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.46 $21.46

$11.36 $11.36

88.91%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.58 $18.58

$13.41 $13.41

38.55%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$23.05 $23.05

$24.19 $24.19

-4.71%

Apples (1kg)

$5.79 $5.79

$4.81 $4.81

20.37%

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.96 $1.96

-4.08%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$3.68 $3.68

46.20%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.30 $6.30

$4.91 $4.91

28.31%

Potato (1kg)

$3.80 $3.80

$6.21 $6.21

-38.81%

Onion (1kg)

$3.26 $3.26

$3.36 $3.36

-2.98%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.87 $2.87

$3.57 $3.57

-19.61%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.71 $2.71

$2.56 $2.56

5.86%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.15 $14.15

$8.05 $8.05

75.78%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.07 $15.07

$13.81 $13.81

9.12%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.36 $4.36

$1.91 $1.91

128.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.75 $5.75

$2.29 $2.29

151.09%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.06 $3.06

$3.91 $3.91

-21.74%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$110 $110

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 $2.57

$3.91 $3.91

-34.27%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$3.20 $3.20

-48.44%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.88 $29.88

$30.17 $30.17

-0.96%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.38 $1.38

$0.86 $0.86

60.47%

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

$36.4K $36.4K

$37.2K $37.2K

-1.93%

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

$25.1K $25.1K

$25.2K $25.2K

-0.36%

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

$296 $296

$212 $212

39.94%

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

$71.3 $71.3

$53.8 $53.8

32.40%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$88.0 $88.0

$73.8 $73.8

19.11%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$81.5 $81.5

$78.8 $78.8

3.36%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.70 $35.70

Cinema Ticket

$18.33 $18.33

$13.86 $13.86

32.25%

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

$3,067 $3,067

$1,098 $1,098

179.32%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.6K $30.6K

$21.1K $21.1K

45.11%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$77.0 $77.0

$46.22 $46.22

66.55%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.0 $54.0

$41.63 $41.63

29.64%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 $128

$71.2 $71.2

79.23%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$165 $165

$69.2 $69.2

138.41%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,418 $2,418

$3,438 $3,438

-29.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,931 $1,931

$3,434 $3,434

-43.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,756 $4,756

$7,221 $7,221

-34.14%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,584 $3,584

$5,980 $5,980

-40.06%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,403 $7,403

$9,706 $9,706

-23.72%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,056 $5,056

$9,672 $9,672

-47.72%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,320 $6,320

$5,971 $5,971

5.85%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.07

5.77%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: August 31, 2026

Last update for Key West, FL: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,418 in Seattle, WA versus $3,438 in Key West, FL. 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 6% higher in Seattle, WA, 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 $99.0 in Seattle, WA versus $99.0 in Key West, FL. Groceries tell a different story – $554 in Seattle, WA vs $455 in Key West, FL – so Key West, FL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Key West, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Key West, FL costs about 25% more than Seattle, WA, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,754 per month in Seattle, WA and $7,194 in Key West, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Seattle, WA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Seattle, WA and $99.0 in Key West, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 22% cheaper in Key West, FL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,836 in Seattle, WA and $4,796 in Key West, FL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Seattle, WA – 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 Seattle, WA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Key West, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.