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 $3,533 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,573 in Maui, HI, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,549 per month in Seattle, WA vs $6,218 in Maui, HI, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,565 per month in Seattle, WA vs $7,862 in Maui, HI, rent included.

Seattle, WA is about 23% cheaper than Maui, HI, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Seattle, WA and Maui, HI sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 165%, Maui, HI by 243%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.41 $25.41

$30.07 $30.07

-15.50%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$121 $121

$109 $109

11.26%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.81 $13.81

$14.75 $14.75

-6.37%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$6.54 $6.54

-10.40%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.77 $2.77

8.30%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.69 $2.69

-10.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.90 $7.90

$8.01 $8.01

-1.37%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.20 $8.20

$8.12 $8.12

0.99%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.40 $1.40

$2.01 $2.01

-30.35%

White Bread (500g)

$4.90 $4.90

$3.53 $3.53

38.81%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.18 $5.18

$8.69 $8.69

-40.39%

Eggs

$6.85 $6.85

$8.54 $8.54

-19.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$24.93 $24.93

$12.27 $12.27

103.18%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.69 $15.69

$15.48 $15.48

1.36%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.12 $20.12

$22.16 $22.16

-9.21%

Apples (1kg)

$6.01 $6.01

$4.78 $4.78

25.73%

Banana (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.25 $2.25

26.22%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$4.13 $4.13

30.02%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.67 $6.67

$4.58 $4.58

45.63%

Potato (1kg)

$3.14 $3.14

$2.83 $2.83

10.95%

Onion (1kg)

$3.69 $3.69

$2.85 $2.85

29.47%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.79 $2.79

$2.00 $2.00

39.50%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.65 $2.65

$3.75 $3.75

-29.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.31 $11.31

$9.66 $9.66

17.08%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.53 $15.53

$19.97 $19.97

-22.23%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.87 $2.87

$1.74 $1.74

64.94%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.20 $4.20

$3.24 $3.24

29.63%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.78 $2.78

$3.46 $3.46

-19.65%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$97.0 $97.0

$99.2 $99.2

-2.16%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.60 $2.60

$3.40 $3.40

-23.53%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.67 $1.67

$0.92 $0.92

81.52%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.75 $29.75

$29.46 $29.46

0.98%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$1.22 $1.22

-6.56%

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

$33.4K $33.4K

$38.0K $38.0K

-12.24%

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

$26.3K $26.3K

$28.6K $28.6K

-7.94%

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

$263 $263

$385 $385

-31.80%

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

$61.1 $61.1

$63.1 $63.1

-3.15%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.6 $74.6

$74.7 $74.7

-0.11%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.7 $79.7

$30.43 $30.43

162.01%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.05 $41.05

Cinema Ticket

$15.81 $15.81

$15.27 $15.27

3.54%

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

$2,289 $2,289

$1,658 $1,658

38.01%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.6K $29.6K

$16.8K $16.8K

76.08%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.1 $68.1

$91.4 $91.4

-25.45%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$54.5 $54.5

-4.33%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 $117

$129 $129

-9.58%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$139 $139

$200 $200

-30.52%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,377 $2,377

$2,287 $2,287

3.96%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,874 $1,874

$2,626 $2,626

-28.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,755 $4,755

$4,567 $4,567

4.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,575 $3,575

$3,907 $3,907

-8.51%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,026 $8,026

$2,692 $2,692

198.19%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,203 $5,203

$2,360 $2,360

120.44%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,621 $6,621

$5,658 $5,658

17.02%

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: June 14, 2026

Last update for Maui, HI: June 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,377 in Seattle, WA versus $2,287 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 17% 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 $121 in Seattle, WA versus $109 in Maui, HI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $540 vs $504 – 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: $3,533 in Seattle, WA, $4,573 in Maui, HI – roughly 29% apart. Maui, HI costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,300 per month in Seattle, WA and $6,860 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 $2,289 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,658 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 7% 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 $3,533 in Seattle, WA and $4,573 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 $3,533 in Seattle, WA to $4,573 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.