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 $3,539 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,028 in Moscow, ID, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,510 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,494 in Moscow, ID, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,481 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,959 in Moscow, ID, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 75% more than Moscow, ID, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Moscow, ID sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 163%, Moscow, ID by 51%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.25 $25.25

$19.66 $19.66

28.43%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$120 $120

$63.1 $63.1

89.93%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.79 $13.79

$6.89 $6.89

100.15%

Cappuccino

$5.61 $5.61

$3.17 $3.17

76.97%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.59 $2.59

15.83%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.50 $2.50

$2.04 $2.04

22.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.85 $7.85

$5.90 $5.90

33.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.92 $7.92

$3.70 $3.70

114.05%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.36 $1.36

$0.96 $0.96

41.67%

White Bread (500g)

$4.86 $4.86

$3.02 $3.02

60.93%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$3.81 $3.81

39.37%

Eggs

$6.61 $6.61

$4.10 $4.10

61.22%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$24.48 $24.48

$16.41 $16.41

49.18%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.02 $16.02

$18.90 $18.90

-15.24%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.57 $20.57

$20.69 $20.69

-0.58%

Apples (1kg)

$6.10 $6.10

$5.25 $5.25

16.19%

Banana (1kg)

$2.88 $2.88

$1.81 $1.81

59.12%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$3.23 $3.23

72.45%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.74 $6.74

$5.32 $5.32

26.69%

Potato (1kg)

$3.20 $3.20

$2.18 $2.18

46.79%

Onion (1kg)

$3.79 $3.79

$1.77 $1.77

114.12%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.72 $2.72

$1.78 $1.78

52.81%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.58 $1.58

65.82%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.71 $11.71

$8.19 $8.19

42.98%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.81 $15.81

$11.35 $11.35

39.30%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.85 $2.85

$0.90 $0.90

216.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.38 $4.38

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.69 $2.69

$1.96 $1.96

37.24%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$98.9 $98.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.63 $2.63

$3.22 $3.22

-18.32%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.78 $1.78

-7.30%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.86 $29.86

$29.73 $29.73

0.44%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.86 $0.86

32.56%

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

$32.6K $32.6K

$27.1K $27.1K

20.26%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$29.8K $29.8K

-11.41%

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

$264 $264

$88.8 $88.8

197.26%

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

$60.6 $60.6

$39.10 $39.10

54.86%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.1 $76.1

$73.7 $73.7

3.33%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.0 $78.0

$142 $142

-45.20%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.01 $40.01

Cinema Ticket

$16.19 $16.19

$15.17 $15.17

6.72%

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

$2,253 $2,253

$1,289 $1,289

74.81%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.7K $29.7K

$23.2K $23.2K

28.30%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.5 $70.5

$29.67 $29.67

137.55%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.8 $51.8

$44.51 $44.51

16.40%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$119 $119

$84.6 $84.6

40.59%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$94.8 $94.8

50.56%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,381 $2,381

$934 $934

155.00%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,887 $1,887

$857 $857

120.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,752 $4,752

$2,334 $2,334

103.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,585 $3,585

$2,084 $2,084

72.04%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,850 $7,850

$3,830 $3,830

104.98%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,213 $5,213

$3,847 $3,847

35.53%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,446 $6,446

$3,049 $3,049

111.42%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.3

1.90%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: April 13, 2026

Last update for Moscow, ID: April 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,381 in Seattle, WA versus $934 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 111% 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 $120 in Seattle, WA versus $63 in Moscow, ID. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $543 vs $426 – 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: $3,539 in Seattle, WA, $2,028 in Moscow, ID – roughly 75% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,309 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,042 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 $120 in Seattle, WA and $63.0 in Moscow, ID. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 28% 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 $2,028, than in Seattle, WA at $3,539. 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 $2,028 in Moscow, ID to $3,539 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.