Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and New Bern, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and New Bern, NC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,583 per month in Seattle, WA vs $1,993 in New Bern, NC, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,632 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,323 in New Bern, NC, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,681 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,652 in New Bern, NC, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 80% more than New Bern, NC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and New Bern, NC sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 168%, New Bern, NC by 49%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.97 $24.97

$16.57 $16.57

50.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$119 $119

$94.6 $94.6

26.22%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.90 $13.90

$11.65 $11.65

19.31%

Cappuccino

$5.56 $5.56

$4.56 $4.56

21.93%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.69 $2.69

13.75%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.22 $2.22

11.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.96 $7.96

$4.56 $4.56

74.56%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.01 $8.01

$7.95 $7.95

0.75%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.97 $0.97

38.14%

White Bread (500g)

$5.05 $5.05

$3.32 $3.32

52.11%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.36 $5.36

$4.57 $4.57

17.29%

Eggs

$6.59 $6.59

$3.43 $3.43

92.13%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.31 $25.31

$13.72 $13.72

84.48%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.19 $16.19

$9.00 $9.00

79.89%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.30 $20.30

$15.23 $15.23

33.29%

Apples (1kg)

$5.97 $5.97

$5.19 $5.19

15.03%

Banana (1kg)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.22 $1.22

124.59%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.36 $5.36

$3.34 $3.34

60.48%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.61 $6.61

$5.33 $5.33

24.02%

Potato (1kg)

$3.25 $3.25

$2.30 $2.30

41.30%

Onion (1kg)

$3.79 $3.79

$2.81 $2.81

34.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.73 $2.73

$1.90 $1.90

43.68%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.25 $2.25

12.44%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.31 $11.31

$10.18 $10.18

11.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.28 $16.28

$12.62 $12.62

29.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.85 $2.85

$2.04 $2.04

39.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.16 $4.16

$1.91 $1.91

117.80%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.03 $2.03

32.51%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$97.1 $97.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.71 $2.71

$3.43 $3.43

-20.99%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.73 $1.73

$2.26 $2.26

-23.45%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.46 $29.46

$32.29 $32.29

-8.76%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.75 $0.75

60.00%

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

$33.6K $33.6K

$19.6K $19.6K

71.35%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$21.3K $21.3K

22.10%

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

$266 $266

$145 $145

84.31%

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

$60.4 $60.4

$63.3 $63.3

-4.55%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.2 $76.2

$68.2 $68.2

11.76%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.2 $79.2

$56.0 $56.0

41.43%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.51 $40.51

Cinema Ticket

$16.22 $16.22

$10.09 $10.09

60.75%

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

$2,280 $2,280

$1,279 $1,279

78.22%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.6K $29.6K

$23.9K $23.9K

23.86%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.6 $69.6

$34.25 $34.25

103.24%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.6 $52.6

$25.49 $25.49

106.20%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$120 $120

$68.2 $68.2

75.25%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$96.4 $96.4

48.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,378 $2,378

$1,122 $1,122

111.96%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,866 $1,866

$884 $884

111.21%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,724 $4,724

$2,474 $2,474

90.95%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,510 $3,510

$2,134 $2,134

64.52%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,711 $7,711

$2,068 $2,068

272.79%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,381 $5,381

$2,046 $2,046

162.96%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,493 $6,493

$3,261 $3,261

99.11%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.36

0.94%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: April 27, 2026

Last update for New Bern, NC: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,378 in Seattle, WA versus $1,122 in New Bern, NC. 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 99% 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 $119 in Seattle, WA versus $95.0 in New Bern, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $544 vs $366 – making New Bern, NC 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 New Bern, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Seattle, WA is pricier by about 80%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,374 per month in Seattle, WA and $2,990 in New Bern, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in New Bern, NC, 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 $119 in Seattle, WA and $95.0 in New Bern, NC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 48% 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 $2,500 monthly budget goes further in New Bern, NC, where all-in costs run around $1,993, than in Seattle, WA at $3,583. In New Bern, NC it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seattle, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward New Bern, NC – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with New Bern, NC. 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.