Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Pasadena, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Pasadena, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,583 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,050 in Pasadena, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,632 per month in Seattle, WA vs $5,773 in Pasadena, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,681 per month in Seattle, WA vs $7,497 in Pasadena, CA, rent included.

Seattle, WA is about 12% cheaper than Pasadena, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Pasadena, CA sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 168%, Pasadena, CA by 202%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.97 $24.97

$17.79 $17.79

40.36%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$119 $119

$81.2 $81.2

47.09%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.90 $13.90

$11.69 $11.69

18.91%

Cappuccino

$5.56 $5.56

$5.17 $5.17

7.54%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$3.11 $3.11

-1.61%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.89 $2.89

-14.53%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.96 $7.96

$9.80 $9.80

-18.78%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.01 $8.01

$10.96 $10.96

-26.92%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.20 $1.20

11.67%

White Bread (500g)

$5.05 $5.05

$4.92 $4.92

2.64%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.36 $5.36

$2.81 $2.81

90.75%

Eggs

$6.59 $6.59

$5.34 $5.34

23.41%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.31 $25.31

$16.23 $16.23

55.95%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.19 $16.19

$18.28 $18.28

-11.43%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.30 $20.30

$13.32 $13.32

52.40%

Apples (1kg)

$5.97 $5.97

$3.55 $3.55

68.17%

Banana (1kg)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.63 $1.63

68.10%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.36 $5.36

$2.50 $2.50

114.40%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.61 $6.61

$5.75 $5.75

14.96%

Potato (1kg)

$3.25 $3.25

$5.63 $5.63

-42.27%

Onion (1kg)

$3.79 $3.79

$2.28 $2.28

66.23%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.73 $2.73

$1.87 $1.87

45.99%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.66 $1.66

52.41%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.31 $11.31

$9.39 $9.39

20.45%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.28 $16.28

$9.88 $9.88

64.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.85 $2.85

$2.05 $2.05

39.02%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.16 $4.16

$1.67 $1.67

149.10%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.69 $2.69

$1.56 $1.56

72.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$97.1 $97.1

$52.6 $52.6

84.70%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.71 $2.71

$3.55 $3.55

-23.66%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.73 $1.73

$1.60 $1.60

8.12%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.46 $29.46

$29.15 $29.15

1.06%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$1.30 $1.30

-7.69%

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

$33.6K $33.6K

$29.3K $29.3K

14.58%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$22.2K $22.2K

17.18%

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

$266 $266

$265 $265

0.61%

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

$60.4 $60.4

$51.1 $51.1

18.21%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.2 $76.2

$72.6 $72.6

4.92%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.2 $79.2

$34.50 $34.50

129.45%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.51 $40.51

$35.02 $35.02

15.68%

Cinema Ticket

$16.22 $16.22

$19.11 $19.11

-15.12%

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

$2,280 $2,280

$1,299 $1,299

75.47%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.6K $29.6K

$15.1K $15.1K

96.03%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.6 $69.6

$88.8 $88.8

-21.57%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.6 $52.6

$40.28 $40.28

30.49%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$120 $120

$93.6 $93.6

27.71%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$112 $112

27.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,378 $2,378

$3,388 $3,388

-29.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,866 $1,866

$2,693 $2,693

-30.70%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,724 $4,724

$5,475 $5,475

-13.72%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,510 $3,510

$4,330 $4,330

-18.93%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,711 $7,711

$9,483 $9,483

-18.69%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,381 $5,381

$8,659 $8,659

-37.86%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,493 $6,493

$5,256 $5,256

23.53%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.27

2.39%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: April 27, 2026

Last update for Pasadena, CA: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,378 in Seattle, WA versus $3,388 in Pasadena, CA. 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 24% higher in Seattle, 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 $119 in Seattle, WA versus $81.0 in Pasadena, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $544 vs $422 – making Pasadena, CA 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 Pasadena, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Pasadena, CA costs about 13% more than Seattle, 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 $5,374 per month in Seattle, WA and $6,075 in Pasadena, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Seattle, WA, 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 $3,583 in Seattle, WA and $4,050 in Pasadena, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 85% less in Seattle, WA. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,583 in Seattle, WA and $4,050 in Pasadena, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Seattle, WA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,583 in Seattle, WA to $4,050 in Pasadena, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Seattle, WA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Pasadena, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.