Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and San Bernardino, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and San Bernardino, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,880 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,809 in San Bernardino, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,820 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,230 in San Bernardino, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,759 per month in Seattle, WA vs $5,651 in San Bernardino, CA, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 38% more than San Bernardino, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and San Bernardino, CA sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 184%, San Bernardino, CA by 105%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.01 $25.01

$20.19 $20.19

23.87%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.9 $99.9

$63.8 $63.8

56.72%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.06 $15.06

$14.79 $14.79

1.83%

Cappuccino

$6.37 $6.37

$5.87 $5.87

8.52%

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

$3.08 $3.08

$3.79 $3.79

-18.73%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.00 $3.00

$2.91 $2.91

3.09%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.80 $7.80

$6.89 $6.89

13.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$8.20 $8.20

0.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.21 $1.21

$1.01 $1.01

19.80%

White Bread (500g)

$4.99 $4.99

$4.12 $4.12

21.12%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$2.72 $2.72

134.93%

Eggs

$5.12 $5.12

$4.96 $4.96

3.23%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.05 $21.05

$9.24 $9.24

127.81%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.38 $18.38

$14.47 $14.47

27.02%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$24.03 $24.03

$13.08 $13.08

83.72%

Apples (1kg)

$5.89 $5.89

$3.04 $3.04

93.75%

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.87 $1.87

0.53%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$2.13 $2.13

148.36%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.47 $6.47

$2.20 $2.20

194.09%

Potato (1kg)

$3.68 $3.68

$1.78 $1.78

106.74%

Onion (1kg)

$3.36 $3.36

$1.78 $1.78

88.76%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.79 $2.79

$1.30 $1.30

114.62%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$1.74 $1.74

48.28%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.92 $13.92

$11.76 $11.76

18.37%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.99 $14.99

$13.15 $13.15

13.99%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.28 $4.28

$2.12 $2.12

101.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.86 $5.86

$4.18 $4.18

40.19%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.03 $2.03

43.84%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$109 $109

$58.0 $58.0

87.60%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.92 $2.92

-11.99%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

$2.51 $2.51

-31.47%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.40 $30.40

$60.9 $60.9

-50.04%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.40 $1.40

$1.24 $1.24

12.90%

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

$36.1K $36.1K

$33.5K $33.5K

7.69%

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

$25.5K $25.5K

$24.7K $24.7K

3.43%

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

$299 $299

$233 $233

28.62%

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

$69.4 $69.4

$59.0 $59.0

17.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$87.7 $87.7

$71.3 $71.3

22.94%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$80.2 $80.2

$40.11 $40.11

99.93%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.93 $34.93

Cinema Ticket

$17.70 $17.70

$13.11 $13.11

35.01%

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

$3,020 $3,020

$1,137 $1,137

165.67%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.0K $31.0K

$17.6K $17.6K

75.91%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$77.3 $77.3

$87.8 $87.8

-11.96%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.1 $55.1

$45.53 $45.53

20.95%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 $128

$80.1 $80.1

60.26%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$159 $159

$210 $210

-24.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,488 $2,488

$1,796 $1,796

38.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,930 $1,930

$1,432 $1,432

34.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,755 $4,755

$2,536 $2,536

87.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,639 $3,639

$2,784 $2,784

30.72%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,583 $7,583

$3,631 $3,631

108.87%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,109 $5,109

$3,602 $3,602

41.85%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,219 $6,219

$3,427 $3,427

81.48%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.24

3.37%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: September 14, 2026

Last update for San Bernardino, CA: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,488 in Seattle, WA versus $1,796 in San Bernardino, 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 81% 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 $100 in Seattle, WA versus $64.0 in San Bernardino, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $552 vs $348 – making San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,880 in Seattle, WA, $2,809 in San Bernardino, CA – roughly 38% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,820 per month in Seattle, WA and $4,213 in San Bernardino, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 59% 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 mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Seattle, WA and $64.0 in San Bernardino, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,880 in Seattle, WA and $2,809 in San Bernardino, 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 $2,809 in San Bernardino, CA to $3,880 in Seattle, WA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with San Bernardino, CA. 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.