Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Maui, HI Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Maui, HI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,583 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,477 in Maui, HI, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,632 per month in Seattle, WA vs $6,252 in Maui, HI, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,681 per month in Seattle, WA vs $8,027 in Maui, HI, rent included.

Seattle, WA is about 20% cheaper than Maui, HI, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Seattle, WA and Maui, HI sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 168%, Maui, HI by 234%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.97 $24.97

$30.27 $30.27

-17.51%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$119 $119

$109 $109

9.40%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.90 $13.90

$15.04 $15.04

-7.58%

Cappuccino

$5.56 $5.56

$6.39 $6.39

-12.99%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.69 $2.69

13.75%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.74 $2.74

-9.85%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.96 $7.96

$8.15 $8.15

-2.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.01 $8.01

$8.20 $8.20

-2.32%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.99 $1.99

-32.66%

White Bread (500g)

$5.05 $5.05

$3.38 $3.38

49.41%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.36 $5.36

$8.67 $8.67

-38.18%

Eggs

$6.59 $6.59

$8.80 $8.80

-25.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.31 $25.31

$12.20 $12.20

107.46%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.19 $16.19

$15.18 $15.18

6.65%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.30 $20.30

$22.44 $22.44

-9.54%

Apples (1kg)

$5.97 $5.97

$5.01 $5.01

19.16%

Banana (1kg)

$2.74 $2.74

$2.14 $2.14

28.04%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.36 $5.36

$4.37 $4.37

22.65%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.61 $6.61

$4.57 $4.57

44.64%

Potato (1kg)

$3.25 $3.25

$2.86 $2.86

13.64%

Onion (1kg)

$3.79 $3.79

$2.83 $2.83

33.92%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.73 $2.73

$1.98 $1.98

37.88%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$3.76 $3.76

-32.71%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.31 $11.31

$9.54 $9.54

18.55%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.28 $16.28

$19.62 $19.62

-17.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.85 $2.85

$1.71 $1.71

66.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.16 $4.16

$3.37 $3.37

23.44%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.69 $2.69

$3.41 $3.41

-21.11%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$97.1 $97.1

$98.6 $98.6

-1.55%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.71 $2.71

$3.58 $3.58

-24.30%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.73 $1.73

$0.89 $0.89

94.38%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.46 $29.46

$29.67 $29.67

-0.71%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$1.27 $1.27

-5.51%

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

$33.6K $33.6K

$38.0K $38.0K

-11.58%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$28.3K $28.3K

-8.03%

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

$266 $266

$396 $396

-32.73%

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

$60.4 $60.4

$62.7 $62.7

-3.65%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.2 $76.2

$73.7 $73.7

3.39%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.2 $79.2

$29.54 $29.54

167.98%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.51 $40.51

Cinema Ticket

$16.22 $16.22

$14.76 $14.76

9.89%

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

$2,280 $2,280

$1,667 $1,667

36.82%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.6K $29.6K

$16.5K $16.5K

79.28%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.6 $69.6

$88.8 $88.8

-21.57%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.6 $52.6

$55.9 $55.9

-5.97%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$120 $120

$131 $131

-8.79%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$196 $196

-27.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,378 $2,378

$2,273 $2,273

4.61%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,866 $1,866

$2,603 $2,603

-28.31%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,724 $4,724

$4,525 $4,525

4.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,510 $3,510

$3,776 $3,776

-7.03%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,711 $7,711

$2,696 $2,696

186.02%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,381 $5,381

$2,378 $2,378

126.24%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,493 $6,493

$5,649 $5,649

14.94%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.66

-3.60%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: April 27, 2026

Last update for Maui, HI: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,378 in Seattle, WA versus $2,273 in Maui, HI. 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 15% 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 $119 in Seattle, WA versus $109 in Maui, HI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $544 vs $503 – making Maui, HI 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 Maui, HI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,583 in Seattle, WA, $4,477 in Maui, HI – roughly 25% apart. Maui, HI costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,374 per month in Seattle, WA and $6,716 in Maui, HI. 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.

Kindergarten costs $2,280 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,667 in Maui, HI. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 8% cheaper in Maui, HI – 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 $3,583 in Seattle, WA and $4,477 in Maui, HI. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Seattle, WA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,583 in Seattle, WA to $4,477 in Maui, HI. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Seattle, WA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Maui, HI makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.