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 $3,797 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,784 in Maui, HI, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,659 per month in Seattle, WA vs $6,624 in Maui, HI, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,521 per month in Seattle, WA vs $8,465 in Maui, HI, rent included.

Seattle, WA is about 21% cheaper than Maui, HI, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Maui, HI sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 180%, Maui, HI by 253%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.41 $25.41

$35.16 $35.16

-27.73%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$121 $121

-18.82%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.87 $14.87

$15.28 $15.28

-2.68%

Cappuccino

$6.52 $6.52

$6.62 $6.62

-1.51%

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

$2.95 $2.95

$3.10 $3.10

-4.84%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.85 $2.85

$2.78 $2.78

2.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.96 $7.96

$7.88 $7.88

1.02%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.94 $7.94

$9.05 $9.05

-12.27%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$2.20 $2.20

-44.55%

White Bread (500g)

$5.14 $5.14

$8.65 $8.65

-40.58%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.08 $6.08

$8.57 $8.57

-29.05%

Eggs

$5.61 $5.61

$8.87 $8.87

-36.75%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.86 $20.86

$27.77 $27.77

-24.88%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.37 $18.37

$15.69 $15.69

17.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$22.93 $22.93

$21.74 $21.74

5.47%

Apples (1kg)

$5.84 $5.84

$9.76 $9.76

-40.16%

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 $1.88

$2.16 $2.16

-12.96%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$9.71 $9.71

-47.37%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.47 $6.47

$8.10 $8.10

-20.12%

Potato (1kg)

$3.56 $3.56

$6.69 $6.69

-46.79%

Onion (1kg)

$3.25 $3.25

$7.79 $7.79

-58.28%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.76 $2.76

$5.11 $5.11

-45.99%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.71 $2.71

$3.74 $3.74

-27.54%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.27 $14.27

$16.73 $16.73

-14.70%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.21 $15.21

$20.25 $20.25

-24.89%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.06 $4.06

$1.69 $1.69

140.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.70 $5.70

$8.24 $8.24

-30.83%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.05 $3.05

$2.71 $2.71

12.55%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$109 $109

$101 $101

8.16%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 $2.57

$9.90 $9.90

-74.04%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$0.90 $0.90

83.33%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.89 $29.89

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.26 $1.26

10.32%

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

$36.7K $36.7K

$37.8K $37.8K

-2.92%

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

$25.8K $25.8K

$29.1K $29.1K

-11.38%

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

$300 $300

$392 $392

-23.42%

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

$72.3 $72.3

$62.8 $62.8

15.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$82.4 $82.4

$72.7 $72.7

13.44%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$81.5 $81.5

$29.47 $29.47

176.55%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.45 $35.45

Cinema Ticket

$17.75 $17.75

$14.98 $14.98

18.49%

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

$3,040 $3,040

$1,665 $1,665

82.62%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.4K $31.4K

$16.8K $16.8K

86.95%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$82.5 $82.5

$88.9 $88.9

-7.22%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.3 $53.3

$55.1 $55.1

-3.20%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$127 $127

$128 $128

-0.27%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$165 $165

$199 $199

-17.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,443 $2,443

$2,262 $2,262

8.01%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,926 $1,926

$2,601 $2,601

-25.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,835 $4,835

$4,626 $4,626

4.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,589 $3,589

$3,877 $3,877

-7.42%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,615 $7,615

$14.5K $14.5K

-47.51%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,996 $4,996

$9,248 $9,248

-45.97%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,574 $6,574

$5,718 $5,718

14.98%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.18

6.58

-6.08%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: August 3, 2026

Last update for Maui, HI: August 4, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,443 in Seattle, WA versus $2,262 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 $99.0 in Seattle, WA versus $121 in Maui, HI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $550 vs $713 – making Seattle, WA 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: $3,797 in Seattle, WA, $4,784 in Maui, HI – roughly 26% apart. Maui, HI costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,696 per month in Seattle, WA and $7,176 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 $3,040 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,665 in Maui, HI. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 30% more in Maui, HI, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,797 in Seattle, WA and $4,784 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 $3,797 in Seattle, WA to $4,784 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.