Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Moses Lake, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Moses Lake, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,598 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,232 in Moses Lake, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,539 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,236 in Moses Lake, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,479 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,241 in Moses Lake, WA, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 61% more than Moses Lake, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Moses Lake, WA sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 168%, Moses Lake, WA by 67%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.80 $24.80

$16.56 $16.56

49.76%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$118 $118

$71.7 $71.7

64.14%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.77 $13.77

$7.34 $7.34

87.60%

Cappuccino

$5.71 $5.71

$4.09 $4.09

39.61%

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

$3.05 $3.05

$2.94 $2.94

3.74%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.50 $2.50

$0.97 $0.97

157.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.83 $7.83

$4.03 $4.03

94.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.88 $7.88

$7.91 $7.91

-0.38%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.35 $1.35

$1.00 $1.00

35.00%

White Bread (500g)

$5.06 $5.06

$4.88 $4.88

3.69%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$3.83 $3.83

40.73%

Eggs

$6.85 $6.85

$3.20 $3.20

114.06%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.07 $25.07

$10.99 $10.99

128.12%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.85 $15.85

$10.08 $10.08

57.24%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.59 $20.59

$13.54 $13.54

52.07%

Apples (1kg)

$6.14 $6.14

$6.25 $6.25

-1.76%

Banana (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.74 $1.74

62.07%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.51 $5.51

$5.50 $5.50

0.18%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.74 $6.74

$5.96 $5.96

13.09%

Potato (1kg)

$3.15 $3.15

$3.16 $3.16

-0.32%

Onion (1kg)

$3.82 $3.82

$3.80 $3.80

0.53%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.68 $2.68

0.37%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.64 $2.64

$2.05 $2.05

28.78%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.65 $11.65

$11.36 $11.36

2.55%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.69 $15.69

$15.30 $15.30

2.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.93 $2.93

$1.82 $1.82

60.99%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.24 $4.24

$3.33 $3.33

27.33%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.82 $2.82

$2.03 $2.03

38.92%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$100 $100

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.48 $2.48

4.84%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.58 $1.58

8.86%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.22 $30.22

$29.87 $29.87

1.17%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 $1.19

$1.07 $1.07

11.21%

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

$32.7K $32.7K

$31.6K $31.6K

3.42%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$25.6K $25.6K

2.05%

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

$263 $263

$157 $157

67.42%

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

$60.9 $60.9

$59.7 $59.7

1.99%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.9 $75.9

$74.7 $74.7

1.62%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.6 $79.6

$42.31 $42.31

88.09%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$39.89 $39.89

Cinema Ticket

$16.27 $16.27

$15.58 $15.58

4.43%

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

$2,281 $2,281

$247 $247

823.87%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.3K $29.3K

$29.9K $29.9K

-2.00%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.6 $68.6

$49.91 $49.91

37.47%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.0 $52.0

$24.95 $24.95

108.26%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$116 $116

$48.18 $48.18

140.35%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$79.9 $79.9

79.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,336 $2,336

$1,281 $1,281

82.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,863 $1,863

$1,118 $1,118

66.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,628 $4,628

$1,800 $1,800

157.15%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,477 $3,477

$1,670 $1,670

108.21%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,766 $7,766

$2,697 $2,697

187.91%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,232 $5,232

$2,760 $2,760

89.60%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,617 $6,617

$9,015 $9,015

-26.60%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: May 30, 2026

Last update for Moses Lake, WA: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,336 in Seattle, WA versus $1,281 in Moses Lake, WA. 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 36% higher in Moses Lake, WA, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $118 in Seattle, WA versus $72.0 in Moses Lake, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $547 vs $403 – making Moses Lake, WA 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 Moses Lake, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle, WA costs about 61% more than Moses Lake, WA, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,397 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,348 in Moses Lake, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Moses Lake, WA, 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 $118 in Seattle, WA and $72.0 in Moses Lake, WA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 36% 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 $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Moses Lake, WA, where all-in costs run around $2,232, than in Seattle, WA at $3,598. In Moses Lake, WA 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. Moses Lake, WA costs $2,232 versus $3,598 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 Moses Lake, WA. 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.