Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and San Antonio, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and San Antonio, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,598 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,433 in San Antonio, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,539 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,627 in San Antonio, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,479 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,822 in San Antonio, TX, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 48% more than San Antonio, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and San Antonio, TX sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 168%, San Antonio, TX by 82%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.80 $24.80

$18.96 $18.96

30.80%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$118 $118

$71.1 $71.1

65.53%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.77 $13.77

$11.83 $11.83

16.40%

Cappuccino

$5.71 $5.71

$5.21 $5.21

9.60%

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

$3.05 $3.05

$2.34 $2.34

30.34%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.50 $2.50

$1.93 $1.93

29.53%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.83 $7.83

$6.13 $6.13

27.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.88 $7.88

$7.07 $7.07

11.46%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.35 $1.35

$1.02 $1.02

32.35%

White Bread (500g)

$5.06 $5.06

$3.02 $3.02

67.55%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.66 $4.66

15.67%

Eggs

$6.85 $6.85

$3.59 $3.59

90.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.07 $25.07

$10.69 $10.69

134.52%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.85 $15.85

$10.09 $10.09

57.09%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.59 $20.59

$14.95 $14.95

37.73%

Apples (1kg)

$6.14 $6.14

$4.05 $4.05

51.60%

Banana (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.58 $1.58

78.48%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.51 $5.51

$4.04 $4.04

36.39%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.74 $6.74

$3.26 $3.26

106.75%

Potato (1kg)

$3.15 $3.15

$1.97 $1.97

59.90%

Onion (1kg)

$3.82 $3.82

$2.54 $2.54

50.39%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.69 $2.69

$1.75 $1.75

53.71%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.64 $2.64

$1.90 $1.90

38.95%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.65 $11.65

$8.92 $8.92

30.61%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.69 $15.69

$15.10 $15.10

3.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.93 $2.93

$2.45 $2.45

19.59%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.24 $4.24

$3.29 $3.29

28.88%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.82 $2.82

$2.09 $2.09

34.93%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$100 $100

$37.82 $37.82

164.83%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.60 $2.60

$3.46 $3.46

-24.86%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.83 $1.83

-6.01%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.22 $30.22

$45.03 $45.03

-32.89%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 $1.19

$0.76 $0.76

56.58%

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

$32.7K $32.7K

$29.0K $29.0K

12.79%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$26.7K $26.7K

-2.16%

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

$263 $263

$197 $197

33.21%

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

$60.9 $60.9

$58.6 $58.6

3.89%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.9 $75.9

$76.5 $76.5

-0.80%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.6 $79.6

$43.58 $43.58

82.61%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$39.89 $39.89

$4.89 $4.89

715.75%

Cinema Ticket

$16.27 $16.27

$13.83 $13.83

17.64%

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

$2,281 $2,281

$1,138 $1,138

100.41%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.3K $29.3K

$16.4K $16.4K

79.25%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.6 $68.6

$45.51 $45.51

50.76%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.0 $52.0

$40.69 $40.69

27.70%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$116 $116

$89.6 $89.6

29.24%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$142 $142

0.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,336 $2,336

$1,502 $1,502

55.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,863 $1,863

$1,164 $1,164

60.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,628 $4,628

$2,647 $2,647

74.87%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,477 $3,477

$1,972 $1,972

76.26%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,766 $7,766

$4,418 $4,418

75.80%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,232 $5,232

$1,816 $1,816

188.11%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,617 $6,617

$4,113 $4,113

60.87%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.29

2.07%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: May 30, 2026

Last update for San Antonio, TX: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,336 in Seattle, WA versus $1,502 in San Antonio, TX. 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 61% 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 $118 in Seattle, WA versus $71.0 in San Antonio, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $547 vs $353 – making San Antonio, TX 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 San Antonio, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,598 in Seattle, WA, $2,433 in San Antonio, TX – roughly 48% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,397 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,650 in San Antonio, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in San Antonio, TX, 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 $3,598 in Seattle, WA and $2,433 in San Antonio, TX. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 165% less in San Antonio, TX. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,598 in Seattle, WA and $2,433 in San Antonio, TX. 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 $2,433 in San Antonio, TX to $3,598 in Seattle, WA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with San Antonio, TX. 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.