Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and the United States

Name: United States
Address: US

For one person, living is cheaper on average across United States: $2,785 a month against $3,744 in Seattle, WA, rent and utilities included – about $11,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

184

Cost of Living Index in Seattle, WA
Learn more

Seattle, WA Living Index
133

Cost of Living Index in the United States
Learn more

United States Living Index

Jump to prices

Seattle, WA

🇺🇸 United States

$3,744

/mo nomad

🇺🇸 United States

$2,785

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Seattle, WA and in the United States

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Seattle, WA and in the United States actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living in Seattle, WA costs $3,744 per month compared to the United States average of $2,784 – that's 34% above the national norm.

Seattle, WA $3,744
United States $2,784

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.56 $24.56

$20.22 $20.22

21.46%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.5 $99.5

$81.1 $81.1

22.58%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.30 $15.30

$12.12 $12.12

26.24%

Cappuccino

$6.62 $6.62

$5.36 $5.36

23.51%

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

$3.25 $3.25

$2.77 $2.77

17.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.11 $3.11

$2.09 $2.09

48.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.77 $7.77

$5.84 $5.84

33.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.93 $7.93

$7.92 $7.92

0.13%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.21 $1.21

$1.04 $1.04

16.35%

White Bread (500g)

$4.94 $4.94

$3.56 $3.56

38.76%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.17 $6.17

$4.69 $4.69

31.56%

Eggs

$4.96 $4.96

$4.43 $4.43

11.96%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$19.00 $19.00

$12.91 $12.91

47.17%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.69 $18.69

$12.20 $12.20

53.20%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$23.14 $23.14

$17.00 $17.00

36.12%

Apples (1kg)

$5.93 $5.93

$5.31 $5.31

11.68%

Banana (1kg)

$1.94 $1.94

$1.67 $1.67

16.17%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.19 $5.19

$4.49 $4.49

15.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.55 $6.55

$5.05 $5.05

29.70%

Potato (1kg)

$3.62 $3.62

$2.83 $2.83

27.92%

Onion (1kg)

$3.16 $3.16

$3.00 $3.00

5.33%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.91 $2.91

$2.28 $2.28

27.63%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$2.27 $2.27

4.85%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.36 $12.36

$10.33 $10.33

19.65%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.02 $15.02

$14.72 $14.72

2.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.30 $4.30

$2.05 $2.05

109.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.69 $5.69

$3.66 $3.66

55.46%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.05 $3.05

$2.33 $2.33

30.90%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$109 $109

$65.1 $65.1

66.93%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.64 $2.64

$3.60 $3.60

-26.67%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.74 $1.74

$1.90 $1.90

-8.42%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.02 $30.02

$29.81 $29.81

0.70%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.03 $1.03

41.75%

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

$36.7K $36.7K

$35.1K $35.1K

4.72%

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

$25.7K $25.7K

$26.3K $26.3K

-2.27%

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

$299 $299

$216 $216

38.56%

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

$69.7 $69.7

$62.3 $62.3

11.83%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$90.1 $90.1

$74.6 $74.6

20.83%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$80.0 $80.0

$44.70 $44.70

78.93%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.62 $35.62

$22.55 $22.55

57.96%

Cinema Ticket

$17.33 $17.33

$15.19 $15.19

14.09%

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

$2,986 $2,986

$1,440 $1,440

107.33%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$25.2K $25.2K

24.05%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$77.7 $77.7

$53.7 $53.7

44.73%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.9 $54.9

$42.44 $42.44

29.26%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$126 $126

$93.4 $93.4

34.90%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$165 $165

$115 $115

43.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,407 $2,407

$1,622 $1,622

48.36%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,963 $1,963

$1,357 $1,357

44.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,788 $4,788

$2,681 $2,681

78.61%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,561 $3,561

$2,170 $2,170

64.12%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,430 $7,430

$3,294 $3,294

125.56%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,010 $5,010

$2,674 $2,674

87.36%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,280 $6,280

$4,242 $4,242

48.04%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.85

6.55

4.58%

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

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 6, 2026

Last update for the United States: October 6, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Seattle, WA

$2K 51.6%

United States

$1.4K 49.4% 30.9% $606

Groceries & Markets

Seattle, WA

$541 14.2%

United States

$411 15% 24.1% $130

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Seattle, WA

$459 12.1%

United States

$353 12.9% 23.1% $106

Eating Out

Seattle, WA

$402 10.6%

United States

$327 11.9% 18.6% $75

Clothing & Footwear

Seattle, WA

$191 5%

United States

$137 5% 28.1% $54

Getting Around

Seattle, WA

$132 3.5%

United States

$87 3.2% 33.8% $45

Sport & Entertainment

Seattle, WA

$115 3%

United States

$75 2.7% 34.5% $40

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom in Seattle, WA costs $2,407 versus the national average of $1,605.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Seattle, WA

🇺🇸 United States

🕒 Local time

04:43 4:43 AM

07:43 7:43 AM

3 h ahead of Seattle, WA

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

737,015

340,110,988

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.892 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Seattle, WA United States 3,190 km ≈ 4 h 30 min nonstop flight

From you

Seattle, WA
United States

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

At $3,744 monthly, Seattle, WA is 34% more expensive than the United States average of $2,784. You pay a premium for the amenities and job market, though similar quality of life costs less in regional cities.

What sets Seattle, WA apart from other United States cities is fast internet, vibrant nightlife, clean air – though costs run 34% above the national norm. Whether that premium is worth it depends on how much those qualities matter to you.

Housing in Seattle, WA costs $3,744 monthly, 34% more than the United States average. The premium reflects economic opportunity and better amenities, but it makes housing the biggest budget challenge for residents.

Outside of Seattle, WA, $2,500 stretches further across the United States. Costs in Seattle, WA itself run $3,744 monthly, leaving less wiggle room. Weigh the city's specific benefits against the tighter finances before committing.