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

๐Ÿ˜ Solo nomad: Seattle, WA is 45.2% more expensive than Monterey, CA without rent, and 10.6% more expensive with rent.
๐Ÿ˜ Family of 3: Seattle, WA is 25.1% more expensive than Monterey, CA without rent, and 15.6% more expensive with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Seattle, WA
Monterey, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.11 $25.11
$16.22 $16.22
54.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$118 $118
$64.9 $64.9
82.52%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.84 $13.84
$9.45 $9.45
46.46%
Cappuccino
$5.8 $5.8
$4.48 $4.48
29.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95 $2.95
$3.16 $3.16
-6.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51 $2.51
$1.63 $1.63
53.99%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.81 $7.81
$5.86 $5.86
33.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.84 $7.84
$4.44 $4.44
76.58%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
Monterey, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.34 $1.34
$1.34 $1.34
-
White Bread (500g)
$4.98 $4.98
$3.41 $3.41
46.04%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.35 $5.35
$4.37 $4.37
22.43%
Eggs
$6.91 $6.91
$4 $4
72.75%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$24.8 $24.8
$9.38 $9.38
164.39%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.74 $15.74
$17.66 $17.66
-10.87%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.84 $20.84
$14.04 $14.04
48.43%
Apples (1kg)
$6.05 $6.05
$3.85 $3.85
57.14%
Banana (1kg)
$2.75 $2.75
$1.15 $1.15
139.13%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.47 $5.47
$2.46 $2.46
122.36%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.45 $6.45
$2.23 $2.23
189.24%
Potato (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$1.92 $1.92
61.98%
Onion (1kg)
$3.69 $3.69
$2.23 $2.23
65.47%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.78 $2.78
$1.83 $1.83
51.91%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.52 $2.52
$1.94 $1.94
29.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.64 $11.64
$12.16 $12.16
-4.28%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.15 $17.15
$17.28 $17.28
-0.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.94 $2.94
$2.2 $2.2
33.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.19 $4.19
$2.44 $2.44
71.72%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Seattle, WA
Monterey, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.8 $2.8
$2.04 $2.04
37.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$101 $101
$53 $53
90.43%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.68 $2.68
$1.58 $1.58
69.62%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.65 $1.65
$0.89 $0.89
85.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.13 $30.13
$28.75 $28.75
4.80%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 $1.16
$1.22 $1.22
-4.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.3K $33.3K
$24.2K $24.2K
37.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$24.2K $24.2K
8.58%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
Monterey, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$271 $271
$188 $188
44.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.8 $61.8
$51.7 $51.7
19.51%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.2 $75.2
$61.8 $61.8
21.59%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
Monterey, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$78.4 $78.4
$43.27 $43.27
81.23%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$41.04 $41.04
$10.52 $10.52
290.11%
Cinema Ticket
$15.89 $15.89
$12.3 $12.3
29.19%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Seattle, WA
Monterey, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,248 $2,248
$570 $570
294.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$29K $29K
$12.5K $12.5K
131.33%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
Monterey, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.5 $69.5
$68.4 $68.4
1.62%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.5 $52.5
$119 $119
-55.74%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$120 $120
$98.5 $98.5
21.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$142 $142
$202 $202
-29.42%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
Monterey, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,376 $2,376
$2,323 $2,323
2.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,829 $1,829
$2,004 $2,004
-8.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,702 $4,702
$3,623 $3,623
29.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,474 $3,474
$3,664 $3,664
-5.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,928 $6,928
$7,809 $7,809
-11.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,224 $5,224
$5,920 $5,920
-11.75%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Seattle, WA
Monterey, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,473 $6,473
$4,380 $4,380
47.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.42
6.4
0.31%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 29, 2025

Last update for Monterey, CA: October 29, 2025

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