Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Los Alamos, NM Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Los Alamos, NM

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,836 per month in Seattle, WA vs $1,071 in Los Alamos, NM, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,763 per month in Seattle, WA vs $1,671 in Los Alamos, NM, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,691 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,272 in Los Alamos, NM, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 258% more than Los Alamos, NM, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Seattle, WA sits 179% above the global median, while Los Alamos, NM is 22% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.68 $24.68

$16.67 $16.67

48.05%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.1 $99.1

$40.36 $40.36

145.52%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.09 $15.09

$9.92 $9.92

52.12%

Cappuccino

$6.62 $6.62

$5.11 $5.11

29.55%

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

$3.13 $3.13

$2.53 $2.53

23.72%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 $2.98

$1.46 $1.46

104.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.12 $8.12

$6.14 $6.14

32.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.85 $7.85

$6.97 $6.97

12.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.88 $0.88

32.95%

White Bread (500g)

$5.20 $5.20

$2.23 $2.23

133.18%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.40 $6.40

$4.54 $4.54

40.97%

Eggs

$4.91 $4.91

$3.91 $3.91

25.58%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.46 $21.46

$11.90 $11.90

80.34%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.58 $18.58

$9.21 $9.21

101.74%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$23.05 $23.05

$17.60 $17.60

30.97%

Apples (1kg)

$5.79 $5.79

$4.70 $4.70

23.19%

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.43 $1.43

31.47%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$2.91 $2.91

84.88%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.30 $6.30

$4.44 $4.44

41.89%

Potato (1kg)

$3.80 $3.80

$1.12 $1.12

239.29%

Onion (1kg)

$3.26 $3.26

$3.36 $3.36

-2.98%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.87 $2.87

$1.95 $1.95

47.18%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.71 $2.71

$0.48 $0.48

464.58%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.15 $14.15

$10.49 $10.49

34.89%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.07 $15.07

$13.81 $13.81

9.12%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.36 $4.36

$2.49 $2.49

75.10%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.75 $5.75

$3.58 $3.58

60.61%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.06 $3.06

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$110 $110

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 $2.57

$3.70 $3.70

-30.54%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$2.03 $2.03

-18.72%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.88 $29.88

$31.94 $31.94

-6.45%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.38 $1.38

$0.84 $0.84

64.29%

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

$36.4K $36.4K

$30.8K $30.8K

18.13%

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

$25.1K $25.1K

$24.6K $24.6K

2.00%

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

$296 $296

$155 $155

91.50%

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

$71.3 $71.3

$40.16 $40.16

77.44%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$88.0 $88.0

$73.3 $73.3

19.97%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$81.5 $81.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.70 $35.70

Cinema Ticket

$18.33 $18.33

$13.14 $13.14

39.50%

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

$3,067 $3,067

$1,473 $1,473

108.29%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.6K $30.6K

$25.3K $25.3K

20.84%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$77.0 $77.0

$19.97 $19.97

285.48%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.0 $54.0

$42.85 $42.85

25.95%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 $128

$103 $103

24.12%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$165 $165

$118 $118

39.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,418 $2,418

$1,103 $1,103

119.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,931 $1,931

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,756 $4,756

$1,933 $1,933

146.05%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,584 $3,584

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,403 $7,403

$3,325 $3,325

122.66%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,056 $5,056

$3,336 $3,336

51.58%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,320 $6,320

$8,216 $8,216

-23.07%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.1

5.25%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: August 31, 2026

Last update for Los Alamos, NM: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,418 in Seattle, WA versus $1,103 in Los Alamos, NM. 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 30% higher in Los Alamos, NM, 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 $40.00 in Los Alamos, NM. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $554 vs $336 – making Los Alamos, NM 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 Los Alamos, NM: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Seattle, WA is pricier by about 258%, 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 $5,754 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,607 in Los Alamos, NM. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Los Alamos, NM, 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 $3,836 in Seattle, WA and $1,071 in Los Alamos, NM. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $3,067 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,473 in Los Alamos, NM. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Los Alamos, NM, where all-in costs run around $1,071, than in Seattle, WA at $3,836. In Los Alamos, NM it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seattle, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Los Alamos, NM – 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 Los Alamos, NM. 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.