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 $3,598 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,105 in San Bernardino, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,539 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,406 in San Bernardino, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,479 per month in Seattle, WA vs $5,707 in San Bernardino, CA, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 16% 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 168%, San Bernardino, CA by 132%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.80 $24.80

$19.94 $19.94

24.37%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$118 $118

$80.0 $80.0

47.15%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.77 $13.77

$15.20 $15.20

-9.41%

Cappuccino

$5.71 $5.71

$5.31 $5.31

7.53%

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

$3.05 $3.05

$3.47 $3.47

-12.10%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.50 $2.50

$2.06 $2.06

21.36%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.83 $7.83

$6.98 $6.98

12.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.88 $7.88

$7.90 $7.90

-0.25%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.35 $1.35

$1.12 $1.12

20.54%

White Bread (500g)

$5.06 $5.06

$4.11 $4.11

23.11%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.00 $4.00

34.75%

Eggs

$6.85 $6.85

$6.02 $6.02

13.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.07 $25.07

$10.68 $10.68

134.74%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.85 $15.85

$13.10 $13.10

20.99%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.59 $20.59

$14.23 $14.23

44.69%

Apples (1kg)

$6.14 $6.14

$3.36 $3.36

82.74%

Banana (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.72 $1.72

63.95%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.51 $5.51

$4.02 $4.02

37.06%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.74 $6.74

$5.64 $5.64

19.50%

Potato (1kg)

$3.15 $3.15

$3.23 $3.23

-2.48%

Onion (1kg)

$3.82 $3.82

$2.88 $2.88

32.64%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.69 $2.69

$1.39 $1.39

93.53%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.64 $2.64

$2.10 $2.10

25.71%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.65 $11.65

$10.83 $10.83

7.57%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.69 $15.69

$12.75 $12.75

23.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.93 $2.93

$1.90 $1.90

54.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.24 $4.24

$5.52 $5.52

-23.19%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.94 $1.94

45.36%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$100 $100

$58.8 $58.8

70.46%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.60 $2.60

$4.91 $4.91

-47.05%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

$4.48 $4.48

-61.61%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.22 $30.22

$28.90 $28.90

4.57%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 $1.19

$1.29 $1.29

-7.75%

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

$32.7K $32.7K

$25.9K $25.9K

26.35%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$24.6K $24.6K

6.17%

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

$263 $263

$248 $248

5.68%

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

$60.9 $60.9

$53.6 $53.6

13.65%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.9 $75.9

$61.5 $61.5

23.50%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.6 $79.6

$39.42 $39.42

101.88%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$39.89 $39.89

Cinema Ticket

$16.27 $16.27

$14.27 $14.27

14.02%

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

$2,281 $2,281

$1,131 $1,131

101.70%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.3K $29.3K

$10.2K $10.2K

188.12%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.6 $68.6

$55.6 $55.6

23.47%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.0 $52.0

$34.04 $34.04

52.64%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$116 $116

$101 $101

14.64%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$103 $103

39.81%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,336 $2,336

$1,928 $1,928

21.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,863 $1,863

$1,718 $1,718

8.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,628 $4,628

$2,512 $2,512

84.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,477 $3,477

$2,723 $2,723

27.70%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,766 $7,766

$3,636 $3,636

113.61%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,232 $5,232

$3,680 $3,680

42.18%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,617 $6,617

$3,705 $3,705

78.60%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.58

-2.43%

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 Bernardino, CA: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,336 in Seattle, WA versus $1,928 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 79% 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 $80.0 in San Bernardino, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $547 vs $396 – 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: $3,598 in Seattle, WA, $3,105 in San Bernardino, CA – roughly 16% 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 $4,657 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 38% 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 $118 in Seattle, WA and $80.0 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 $3,598 in Seattle, WA and $3,105 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 $3,105 in San Bernardino, CA to $3,598 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.