Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Modesto, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Modesto, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,886 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,625 in Modesto, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,699 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,012 in Modesto, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,513 per month in Seattle, WA vs $5,399 in Modesto, CA, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 48% more than Modesto, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Seattle, WA and Modesto, CA sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 182%, Modesto, CA by 90%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.37 $25.37

$14.72 $14.72

72.35%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$78.9 $78.9

28.02%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.80 $14.80

$9.20 $9.20

60.87%

Cappuccino

$6.63 $6.63

$5.56 $5.56

19.24%

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

$3.08 $3.08

$2.63 $2.63

17.11%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$1.59 $1.59

86.16%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.94 $7.94

$4.89 $4.89

62.37%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.88 $7.88

$6.83 $6.83

15.37%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.05 $1.05

16.19%

White Bread (500g)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.68 $3.68

39.67%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.16 $6.16

$4.07 $4.07

51.35%

Eggs

$5.08 $5.08

$5.51 $5.51

-7.80%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.31 $21.31

$13.02 $13.02

63.67%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.42 $18.42

$13.57 $13.57

35.74%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$23.04 $23.04

$19.98 $19.98

15.32%

Apples (1kg)

$6.04 $6.04

$5.19 $5.19

16.38%

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.96 $1.96

-4.08%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.20 $5.20

$5.33 $5.33

-2.44%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.37 $6.37

$5.59 $5.59

13.95%

Potato (1kg)

$3.78 $3.78

$3.53 $3.53

7.08%

Onion (1kg)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.93 $2.93

12.63%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.87 $2.87

$2.37 $2.37

21.10%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.47 $2.47

7.69%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.91 $13.91

$11.84 $11.84

17.48%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.05 $15.05

$14.74 $14.74

2.10%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.17 $4.17

$1.85 $1.85

125.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.64 $5.64

$3.34 $3.34

68.86%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.97 $2.97

$2.05 $2.05

44.88%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$107 $107

$40.70 $40.70

164.03%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 $2.57

$3.47 $3.47

-25.94%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$3.07 $3.07

-46.25%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.49 $29.49

$30.27 $30.27

-2.58%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.36 $1.36

7.35%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$36.9K $36.9K

-2.23%

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

$25.4K $25.4K

$25.8K $25.8K

-1.29%

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

$306 $306

$261 $261

17.23%

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

$70.2 $70.2

$47.15 $47.15

48.80%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$87.4 $87.4

$68.9 $68.9

26.78%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.9 $79.9

$41.57 $41.57

92.25%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.74 $34.74

$15.10 $15.10

130.07%

Cinema Ticket

$17.85 $17.85

$10.99 $10.99

62.42%

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

$3,018 $3,018

$1,803 $1,803

67.42%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.1K $31.1K

$39.8K $39.8K

-21.88%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$76.6 $76.6

$48.86 $48.86

56.86%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.8 $53.8

$39.40 $39.40

36.62%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$126 $126

$93.1 $93.1

35.07%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$162 $162

$119 $119

36.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,456 $2,456

$1,453 $1,453

69.10%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,981 $1,981

$1,305 $1,305

51.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,881 $4,881

$2,492 $2,492

95.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,625 $3,625

$2,429 $2,429

49.25%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,376 $7,376

$3,255 $3,255

126.58%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,007 $5,007

$3,259 $3,259

53.63%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,165 $6,165

$4,107 $4,107

50.10%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.1

5.74%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: September 7, 2026

Last update for Modesto, CA: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,456 in Seattle, WA versus $1,453 in Modesto, CA. 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 50% 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 $101 in Seattle, WA versus $79.0 in Modesto, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $551 vs $440 – making Modesto, CA 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 Modesto, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle, WA costs about 48% more than Modesto, CA, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,829 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,937 in Modesto, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Modesto, CA, 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 $3,886 in Seattle, WA and $2,625 in Modesto, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 164% less in Modesto, CA. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Modesto, CA, where all-in costs run around $2,625, than in Seattle, WA at $3,886. In Modesto, CA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seattle, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Modesto, CA costs $2,625 versus $3,886 in Seattle, WA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Modesto, CA. 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.