Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Killeen, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Killeen, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,598 in Seattle, WA versus $2,367 in Killeen, TX.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,539 in Seattle, WA versus $3,333 in Killeen, TX.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,479 in Seattle, WA versus $4,299 in Killeen, TX.

Living in Seattle, WA is roughly 52% more expensive than Killeen, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Seattle, WA 168% above, Killeen, TX 77% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Seattle, WA
Killeen, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.80 $24.80
$20.12 $20.12
23.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$118 $118
$70.7 $70.7
66.58%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.77 $13.77
$11.89 $11.89
15.81%
Cappuccino
$5.71 $5.71
$5.51 $5.51
3.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05 $3.05
$2.33 $2.33
30.90%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$1.80 $1.80
38.89%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.83 $7.83
$4.68 $4.68
67.31%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.88 $7.88
$4.89 $4.89
61.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
Killeen, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.35 $1.35
$0.91 $0.91
48.35%
White Bread (500g)
$5.06 $5.06
$1.63 $1.63
210.43%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.39 $5.39
$3.35 $3.35
60.90%
Eggs
$6.85 $6.85
$3.98 $3.98
72.11%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$25.07 $25.07
$10.03 $10.03
149.95%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.85 $15.85
$13.80 $13.80
14.86%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.59 $20.59
$12.46 $12.46
65.25%
Apples (1kg)
$6.14 $6.14
$3.18 $3.18
93.08%
Banana (1kg)
$2.82 $2.82
$0.97 $0.97
190.72%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.51 $5.51
$3.94 $3.94
39.85%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.74 $6.74
$2.88 $2.88
134.03%
Potato (1kg)
$3.15 $3.15
$2.27 $2.27
38.77%
Onion (1kg)
$3.82 $3.82
$2.91 $2.91
31.27%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.69 $2.69
$1.63 $1.63
65.03%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$1.56 $1.56
69.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.65 $11.65
$6.04 $6.04
92.88%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.69 $15.69
$11.19 $11.19
40.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.93 $2.93
$2.11 $2.11
38.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.24 $4.24
$1.80 $1.80
135.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Seattle, WA
Killeen, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.82 $2.82
$2.04 $2.04
38.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$100 $100
$24.89 $24.89
302.41%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.60 $2.60
$3.06 $3.06
-15.03%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.72 $1.72
$1.90 $1.90
-9.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.22 $30.22
$24.02 $24.02
25.81%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.19 $1.19
$0.76 $0.76
56.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.7K $32.7K
$36.4K $36.4K
-10.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$24.7K $24.7K
5.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
Killeen, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$263 $263
$214 $214
22.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60.9 $60.9
$59.0 $59.0
3.12%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.9 $75.9
$69.3 $69.3
9.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
Killeen, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$79.6 $79.6
$22.55 $22.55
252.90%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$39.89 $39.89
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$16.27 $16.27
$12.94 $12.94
25.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Seattle, WA
Killeen, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,281 $2,281
$1,140 $1,140
100.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$29.3K $29.3K
$26.3K $26.3K
11.60%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
Killeen, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.6 $68.6
$55.2 $55.2
24.38%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.0 $52.0
$19.81 $19.81
162.29%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$116 $116
$68.9 $68.9
68.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$143 $143
$67.2 $67.2
113.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
Killeen, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,336 $2,336
$1,184 $1,184
97.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,863 $1,863
$1,191 $1,191
56.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,628 $4,628
$1,720 $1,720
169.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,477 $3,477
$1,796 $1,796
93.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,766 $7,766
$1,811 $1,811
328.89%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,232 $5,232
$1,769 $1,769
195.73%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Seattle, WA
Killeen, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,617 $6,617
$3,233 $3,233
104.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.42
6.36
0.94%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: May 30, 2026

Last update for Killeen, TX: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,336 in Seattle, WA and $1,184 in Killeen, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Seattle, WA pays 105% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $118 in Seattle, WA vs $71.0 in Killeen, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $547 vs $318 per month, with Killeen, TX cheaper across the board.

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 Killeen, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Seattle, WA and Killeen, TX?
Seattle, WA and Killeen, TX differ by about 52% in total monthly costs ($3,598 vs $2,367 including rent). Killeen, TX is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Seattle, WA or Killeen, TX?
Seattle, WA pays 105% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Seattle, WA and Killeen, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,336 in Seattle, WA versus $1,184 in Killeen, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Seattle, WA and Killeen, TX?
A monthly transit pass in Killeen, TX runs roughly 302% less than in Seattle, WA. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Seattle, WA and Killeen, TX?
Childcare runs $2,281 in Seattle, WA versus $1,140 in Killeen, TX. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,367 in Killeen, TX versus $3,598 in Seattle, WA, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Killeen, TX but tight or insufficient in Seattle, WA. The gap between the two cities makes Killeen, TX the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Seattle, WA and Killeen, TX?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Seattle, WA or Killeen, TX?
Expats usually find Killeen, TX gentler on the wallet – expenses run 52% less than in Seattle, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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