Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Ottawa, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Ottawa, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,661 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,488 in Ottawa, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,544 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,483 in Ottawa, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,427 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,479 in Ottawa, IL, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 47% more than Ottawa, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Ottawa, IL sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 173%, Ottawa, IL by 86%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.32 $25.32

$15.28 $15.28

65.71%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$121 $121

$50.9 $50.9

138.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.11 $14.11

$11.08 $11.08

27.35%

Cappuccino

$5.82 $5.82

$4.19 $4.19

38.90%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$2.03 $2.03

46.80%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.40 $2.40

$1.46 $1.46

64.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.73 $7.73

$3.58 $3.58

115.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.87 $7.87

$2.91 $2.91

170.45%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.69 $0.69

94.20%

White Bread (500g)

$4.91 $4.91

$2.71 $2.71

81.18%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$2.68 $2.68

91.79%

Eggs

$6.57 $6.57

$2.66 $2.66

146.99%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$24.64 $24.64

$11.24 $11.24

119.22%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.88 $15.88

$6.28 $6.28

152.87%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.14 $20.14

$13.19 $13.19

52.69%

Apples (1kg)

$6.27 $6.27

$2.24 $2.24

179.91%

Banana (1kg)

$2.86 $2.86

$1.57 $1.57

82.17%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$3.48 $3.48

52.01%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$4.11 $4.11

55.47%

Potato (1kg)

$3.21 $3.21

$2.36 $2.36

36.02%

Onion (1kg)

$3.83 $3.83

$2.36 $2.36

62.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.98 $1.98

38.38%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$1.45 $1.45

77.93%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.64 $11.64

$9.06 $9.06

28.48%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.77 $15.77

$15.06 $15.06

4.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.88 $2.88

$2.12 $2.12

35.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.39 $4.39

$2.01 $2.01

118.41%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.76 $2.76

$1.97 $1.97

40.10%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$98.8 $98.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 $2.67

$3.54 $3.54

-24.58%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.42 $1.42

19.72%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.74 $29.74

$29.51 $29.51

0.78%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.93 $0.93

22.58%

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

$32.9K $32.9K

$40.4K $40.4K

-18.63%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$23.0K $23.0K

13.05%

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

$268 $268

$214 $214

25.38%

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

$60.9 $60.9

$42.57 $42.57

43.13%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.2 $76.2

$62.4 $62.4

22.12%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.1 $78.1

$42.57 $42.57

83.35%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.15 $40.15

$27.17 $27.17

47.77%

Cinema Ticket

$15.82 $15.82

$12.12 $12.12

30.53%

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

$2,252 $2,252

$1,198 $1,198

88.09%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.7K $29.7K

$23.1K $23.1K

28.78%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.8 $70.8

$45.17 $45.17

56.67%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.1 $53.1

$39.64 $39.64

34.06%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 $117

$89.5 $89.5

30.92%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$139 $139

$150 $150

-7.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,310 $2,310

$1,585 $1,585

45.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,849 $1,849

$1,379 $1,379

34.10%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,739 $4,739

$2,583 $2,583

83.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,556 $3,556

$2,215 $2,215

60.56%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,775 $7,775

$2,721 $2,721

185.69%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,351 $5,351

$2,372 $2,372

125.54%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,575 $6,575

$2,388 $2,388

175.28%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.56

-2.13%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: April 21, 2026

Last update for Ottawa, IL: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,310 in Seattle, WA versus $1,585 in Ottawa, IL. 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 175% 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 $121 in Seattle, WA versus $51 in Ottawa, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $539 vs $297 – making Ottawa, IL 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 Ottawa, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Seattle, WA is pricier by about 47%, 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 $5,491 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,732 in Ottawa, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,661 in Seattle, WA and $2,488 in Ottawa, IL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,252 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,198 in Ottawa, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,661 in Seattle, WA and $2,488 in Ottawa, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Ottawa, IL – 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 Ottawa, IL. 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.