Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Memphis, TN Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Memphis, TN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,565 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,415 in Memphis, TN, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,605 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,417 in Memphis, TN, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,645 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,419 in Memphis, TN, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 48% more than Memphis, TN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Memphis, TN sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 167%, Memphis, TN by 81%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.79 $24.79

$19.19 $19.19

29.18%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$119 $119

$75.7 $75.7

57.06%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.15 $14.15

$9.97 $9.97

41.93%

Cappuccino

$5.71 $5.71

$5.11 $5.11

11.74%

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

$2.93 $2.93

$2.56 $2.56

14.45%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.03 $2.03

24.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.89 $7.89

$5.82 $5.82

35.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$7.91 $7.91

1.77%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.36 $1.36

$0.94 $0.94

44.68%

White Bread (500g)

$5.07 $5.07

$2.75 $2.75

84.36%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.25 $5.25

$4.50 $4.50

16.67%

Eggs

$6.91 $6.91

$4.19 $4.19

64.92%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$24.95 $24.95

$10.95 $10.95

127.85%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.75 $15.75

$11.00 $11.00

43.18%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.72 $20.72

$15.47 $15.47

33.94%

Apples (1kg)

$6.19 $6.19

$6.31 $6.31

-1.90%

Banana (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$1.58 $1.58

76.58%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.52 $5.52

$5.45 $5.45

1.28%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.42 $6.42

$4.86 $4.86

32.10%

Potato (1kg)

$3.16 $3.16

$4.92 $4.92

-35.77%

Onion (1kg)

$3.89 $3.89

$3.35 $3.35

16.12%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.35 $2.35

14.89%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.47 $2.47

2.43%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.37 $11.37

$7.94 $7.94

43.20%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.67 $15.67

$13.44 $13.44

16.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.87 $2.87

$1.76 $1.76

63.07%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.26 $4.26

$1.92 $1.92

121.88%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.71 $2.71

$1.24 $1.24

118.55%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$98.8 $98.8

$12.67 $12.67

680.11%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.06 $2.06

25.24%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.40 $1.40

16.43%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.68 $29.68

$19.81 $19.81

49.82%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.81 $0.81

40.74%

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

$32.8K $32.8K

$33.2K $33.2K

-1.19%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$27.4K $27.4K

-3.39%

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

$264 $264

$215 $215

22.88%

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

$61.6 $61.6

$58.0 $58.0

6.14%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.5 $75.5

$67.0 $67.0

12.70%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.0 $78.0

$37.32 $37.32

109.06%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.28 $40.28

$17.71 $17.71

127.44%

Cinema Ticket

$16.11 $16.11

$12.63 $12.63

27.55%

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

$2,212 $2,212

$1,582 $1,582

39.80%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.0K $29.0K

$27.8K $27.8K

4.35%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.3 $69.3

$39.22 $39.22

76.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.8 $53.8

$32.45 $32.45

65.67%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$119 $119

$75.1 $75.1

58.72%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$142 $142

$141 $141

0.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,357 $2,357

$1,207 $1,207

95.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,834 $1,834

$1,115 $1,115

64.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,686 $4,686

$1,547 $1,547

202.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,571 $3,571

$1,600 $1,600

123.19%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,539 $7,539

$1,757 $1,757

329.02%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,046 $5,046

$1,349 $1,349

274.17%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,473 $6,473

$3,578 $3,578

80.93%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.53

-1.68%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: July 12, 2026

Last update for Memphis, TN: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,357 in Seattle, WA versus $1,207 in Memphis, TN. 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 81% higher in Seattle, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $119 in Seattle, WA versus $76.0 in Memphis, TN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $543 vs $393 – making Memphis, TN 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 Memphis, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,565 in Seattle, WA, $2,415 in Memphis, TN – roughly 48% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,347 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,622 in Memphis, TN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Memphis, TN, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Public transport costs about 680% less in Memphis, TN. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $2,212 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,582 in Memphis, TN. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Memphis, TN, where all-in costs run around $2,415, than in Seattle, WA at $3,565. In Memphis, TN it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seattle, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Seattle, WA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,415 in Memphis, TN to $3,565 in Seattle, WA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Memphis, TN. 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.