Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Moscow, ID Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Moscow, ID

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,880 per month in Seattle, WA vs $1,981 in Moscow, ID, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,820 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,396 in Moscow, ID, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,759 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,811 in Moscow, ID, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 96% more than Moscow, ID, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Seattle, WA and Moscow, ID sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 184%, Moscow, ID by 45%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.01 $25.01

$9.14 $9.14

173.63%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.9 $99.9

$74.6 $74.6

33.95%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.06 $15.06

$6.47 $6.47

132.77%

Cappuccino

$6.37 $6.37

$3.21 $3.21

98.44%

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

$3.08 $3.08

$1.28 $1.28

140.63%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.00 $3.00

$2.19 $2.19

36.99%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.80 $7.80

$7.15 $7.15

9.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$4.53 $4.53

81.24%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.21 $1.21

$1.01 $1.01

19.80%

White Bread (500g)

$4.99 $4.99

$2.80 $2.80

78.21%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$3.97 $3.97

60.96%

Eggs

$5.12 $5.12

$4.09 $4.09

25.18%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.05 $21.05

$16.17 $16.17

30.18%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.38 $18.38

$13.74 $13.74

33.77%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$24.03 $24.03

$16.82 $16.82

42.87%

Apples (1kg)

$5.89 $5.89

$4.81 $4.81

22.45%

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 $1.88

$0.83 $0.83

126.51%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$3.18 $3.18

66.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.47 $6.47

$5.33 $5.33

21.39%

Potato (1kg)

$3.68 $3.68

$2.09 $2.09

76.08%

Onion (1kg)

$3.36 $3.36

$2.02 $2.02

66.34%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.79 $2.79

$1.62 $1.62

72.22%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$1.83 $1.83

40.98%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.92 $13.92

$9.15 $9.15

52.13%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.99 $14.99

$12.54 $12.54

19.54%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.28 $4.28

$1.85 $1.85

131.35%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.86 $5.86

$4.62 $4.62

26.84%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.92 $2.92

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$109 $109

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 $2.57

$3.91 $3.91

-34.27%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.70 $1.70

1.18%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.40 $30.40

$40.01 $40.01

-24.02%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.40 $1.40

$0.93 $0.93

50.54%

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

$36.1K $36.1K

$36.8K $36.8K

-2.01%

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

$25.5K $25.5K

$26.3K $26.3K

-3.05%

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

$299 $299

$172 $172

73.68%

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

$69.4 $69.4

$39.40 $39.40

76.17%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$87.7 $87.7

$75.4 $75.4

16.36%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$80.2 $80.2

$146 $146

-45.13%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.93 $34.93

Cinema Ticket

$17.70 $17.70

$14.74 $14.74

20.08%

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

$3,020 $3,020

$1,366 $1,366

121.18%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.0K $31.0K

$21.4K $21.4K

45.03%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$77.3 $77.3

$29.91 $29.91

158.54%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.1 $55.1

$45.16 $45.16

21.94%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 $128

$86.2 $86.2

48.87%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$159 $159

$123 $123

29.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,488 $2,488

$998 $998

149.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,930 $1,930

$830 $830

132.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,755 $4,755

$2,302 $2,302

106.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,639 $3,639

$2,087 $2,087

74.42%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,583 $7,583

$3,771 $3,771

101.09%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,109 $5,109

$3,764 $3,764

35.75%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,219 $6,219

$3,019 $3,019

106.01%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.23

3.53%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: September 14, 2026

Last update for Moscow, ID: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,488 in Seattle, WA versus $998 in Moscow, ID. 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 106% 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 $100 in Seattle, WA versus $75.0 in Moscow, ID. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $552 vs $389 – making Moscow, ID 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 Moscow, ID: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,880 in Seattle, WA, $1,981 in Moscow, ID – roughly 96% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,820 per month in Seattle, WA and $2,972 in Moscow, ID. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

A mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Seattle, WA and $75.0 in Moscow, ID. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 42% more in Seattle, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Moscow, ID, where all-in costs run around $1,981, than in Seattle, WA at $3,880. In Moscow, ID 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 $1,981 in Moscow, ID to $3,880 in Seattle, WA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Moscow, ID. 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.