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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,598 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,906 in San Diego, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,539 per month in Seattle, WA vs $5,746 in San Diego, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,479 per month in Seattle, WA vs $7,587 in San Diego, CA, rent included.

Seattle, WA is about 8% cheaper than San Diego, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and San Diego, CA sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 168%, San Diego, CA by 191%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.80 $24.80

$23.14 $23.14

7.17%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$118 $118

$101 $101

16.70%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.77 $13.77

$14.74 $14.74

-6.58%

Cappuccino

$5.71 $5.71

$6.04 $6.04

-5.46%

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

$3.05 $3.05

$3.03 $3.03

0.66%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.50 $2.50

$2.51 $2.51

-0.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.83 $7.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.88 $7.88

$8.76 $8.76

-10.05%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.35 $1.35

$1.25 $1.25

8.00%

White Bread (500g)

$5.06 $5.06

$4.50 $4.50

12.44%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.44 $4.44

21.40%

Eggs

$6.85 $6.85

$5.26 $5.26

30.23%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.07 $25.07

$13.57 $13.57

84.75%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.85 $15.85

$12.53 $12.53

26.50%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.59 $20.59

$18.69 $18.69

10.17%

Apples (1kg)

$6.14 $6.14

$4.79 $4.79

28.18%

Banana (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.65 $1.65

70.91%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.51 $5.51

$3.91 $3.91

40.92%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.74 $6.74

$4.77 $4.77

41.30%

Potato (1kg)

$3.15 $3.15

$2.95 $2.95

6.78%

Onion (1kg)

$3.82 $3.82

$2.47 $2.47

54.66%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.27 $2.27

18.50%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.64 $2.64

$2.45 $2.45

7.76%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.65 $11.65

$11.88 $11.88

-1.94%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.69 $15.69

$14.86 $14.86

5.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.93 $2.93

$1.74 $1.74

68.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.24 $4.24

$2.53 $2.53

67.59%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.82 $2.82

$2.52 $2.52

11.90%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$100 $100

$72.5 $72.5

38.21%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.98 $2.98

-12.75%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

$2.07 $2.07

-16.91%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.22 $30.22

$28.14 $28.14

7.39%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 $1.19

$1.30 $1.30

-8.46%

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

$32.7K $32.7K

$31.1K $31.1K

5.18%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$26.7K $26.7K

-2.34%

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

$263 $263

$272 $272

-3.49%

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

$60.9 $60.9

$67.6 $67.6

-9.90%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.9 $75.9

$78.2 $78.2

-3.00%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.6 $79.6

$66.9 $66.9

19.01%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$39.89 $39.89

$24.81 $24.81

60.78%

Cinema Ticket

$16.27 $16.27

$16.20 $16.20

0.43%

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

$2,281 $2,281

$1,596 $1,596

42.90%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.3K $29.3K

$28.3K $28.3K

3.44%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.6 $68.6

$59.8 $59.8

14.69%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.0 $52.0

$58.9 $58.9

-11.83%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$116 $116

$98.5 $98.5

17.59%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$116 $116

23.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,336 $2,336

$2,832 $2,832

-17.51%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,863 $1,863

$2,390 $2,390

-22.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,628 $4,628

$4,901 $4,901

-5.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,477 $3,477

$4,183 $4,183

-16.89%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,766 $7,766

$8,232 $8,232

-5.66%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,232 $5,232

$6,581 $6,581

-20.49%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,617 $6,617

$5,342 $5,342

23.86%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.39

0.47%

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 Diego, CA: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,336 in Seattle, WA versus $2,832 in San Diego, 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 $118 in Seattle, WA versus $101 in San Diego, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $547 vs $425 – making San Diego, 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 Diego, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,598 in Seattle, WA, $3,906 in San Diego, CA – roughly 9% apart. San Diego, CA 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 $5,859 in San Diego, 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.

Kindergarten costs $2,281 per month in Seattle, WA and $1,596 in San Diego, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 29% cheaper in San Diego, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,598 in Seattle, WA and $3,906 in San Diego, 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 $3,598 in Seattle, WA to $3,906 in San Diego, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

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