Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Springfield, MA and Seattle, WA

For one person, living is cheaper in Springfield, MA: $3,093 a month against $3,785 in Seattle, WA, rent and utilities included – about $8,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Springfield, MA, United States
Seattle, WA, United States
Springfield, MA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,093
/mo nomad
Seattle, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,785
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Springfield, MA and in Seattle, WA

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,093 in Springfield, MA versus $3,785 in Seattle, WA.

  • Springfield, MA $3,093
  • Seattle, WA $3,785

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,347 in Springfield, MA versus $5,688 in Seattle, WA.

  • Springfield, MA $4,347
  • Seattle, WA $5,688

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,600 in Springfield, MA versus $7,592 in Seattle, WA.

  • Springfield, MA $5,600
  • Seattle, WA $7,592

Living in Springfield, MA costs roughly 18% less than in Seattle, WA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Springfield, MA 127% above, Seattle, WA 178% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Springfield, MA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.85 $22.85
$25.30 $25.30
-9.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$83.3 $83.3
$101 $101
-17.45%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.28 $14.28
$14.76 $14.76
-3.25%
Cappuccino
$6.44 $6.44
$6.50 $6.50
-0.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 $2.71
$3.21 $3.21
-15.58%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$3.14 $3.14
-34.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.18 $6.18
$7.97 $7.97
-22.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.22 $9.22
$8.13 $8.13
13.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Springfield, MA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.01 $1.01
$1.17 $1.17
-13.68%
White Bread (500g)
$2.71 $2.71
$5.30 $5.30
-48.87%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.26 $2.26
$6.40 $6.40
-64.69%
Eggs
$3.53 $3.53
$5.06 $5.06
-30.24%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.57 $16.57
$18.71 $18.71
-11.44%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.78 $10.78
$18.72 $18.72
-42.41%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.55 $18.55
$22.88 $22.88
-18.92%
Apples (1kg)
$4.87 $4.87
$6.06 $6.06
-19.64%
Banana (1kg)
$1.38 $1.38
$1.95 $1.95
-29.23%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.58 $5.58
$5.51 $5.51
1.27%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.61 $4.61
$6.52 $6.52
-29.29%
Potato (1kg)
$3.15 $3.15
$3.49 $3.49
-9.74%
Onion (1kg)
$3.69 $3.69
$3.29 $3.29
12.16%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.24 $2.24
$2.80 $2.80
-20.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.98 $1.98
$2.58 $2.58
-23.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.77 $13.77
$12.49 $12.49
10.25%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.23 $14.23
$14.87 $14.87
-4.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 $1.78
$4.19 $4.19
-57.52%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.84 $3.84
$5.80 $5.80
-33.79%
🚌 Getting Around
Springfield, MA
Seattle, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.98 $1.98
$3.05 $3.05
-35.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.2 $54.2
$106 $106
-48.84%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.06 $5.06
$2.58 $2.58
96.12%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.40 $1.40
$1.64 $1.64
-14.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.86 $29.86
$30.12 $30.12
-0.86%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$1.41 $1.41
-32.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.4K $27.4K
$36.8K $36.8K
-25.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$26.6K $26.6K
-2.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Springfield, MA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 $210
$308 $308
-31.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$69.0 $69.0
$69.2 $69.2
-0.30%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$73.1 $73.1
$86.1 $86.1
-15.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Springfield, MA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.21 $28.21
$76.5 $76.5
-63.10%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.78 $18.78
$35.50 $35.50
-47.10%
Cinema Ticket
$14.82 $14.82
$18.02 $18.02
-17.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Springfield, MA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,516 $1,516
$2,746 $2,746
-44.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.2K $17.2K
$30.6K $30.6K
-43.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Springfield, MA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.6 $50.6
$79.2 $79.2
-36.08%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.37 $39.37
$54.3 $54.3
-27.51%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$114 $114
$127 $127
-10.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109 $109
$159 $159
-31.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Springfield, MA
Seattle, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,799 $1,799
$2,508 $2,508
-28.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,705 $1,705
$1,938 $1,938
-12.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,427 $2,427
$5,117 $5,117
-52.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,501 $2,501
$3,542 $3,542
-29.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,499 $2,499
$7,374 $7,374
-66.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,570 $2,570
$5,002 $5,002
-48.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Springfield, MA
Seattle, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,892 $3,892
$6,470 $6,470
-39.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.28
6.89
-8.85%

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

Last update for Springfield, MA: October 25, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Springfield, MA
$1.7K
Seattle, WA
$1.9K 13.7% $233
Groceries & Markets
Springfield, MA
$392
Seattle, WA
$547 39.4% $155
Eating Out
Springfield, MA
$371
Seattle, WA
$406 9.4% $35
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Springfield, MA
$352
Seattle, WA
$463 31.5% $111
Clothing & Footwear
Springfield, MA
$141
Seattle, WA
$189 34.1% $48
Getting Around
Springfield, MA
$74
Seattle, WA
$129 73.8% $55
Sport & Entertainment
Springfield, MA
$58
Seattle, WA
$112 94.5% $55

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,799 in Springfield, MA and $2,508 in Seattle, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Seattle, WA pays 66% more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.

Dining out: $83 in Springfield, MA vs $101 in Seattle, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $392 vs $547 per month, with Springfield, MA cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Springfield, MA
🇺🇸 Seattle, WA
🕒 Local time
16:33 4:33 PM
13:33 1:33 PM
3 h behind Springfield, MA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
116,482
737,015
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.898 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Springfield, MA Seattle, WA 3,900 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Springfield, MA
  • Seattle, WA

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
Springfield, MA vs Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Springfield, MA cheaper than Seattle, WA?
Springfield, MA is about 18% cheaper overall, especially in groceries, transport, and leisure. That difference adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Springfield, MA or Seattle, WA?
On paper, salaries run 40% lower in Springfield, MA. That’s worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Springfield, MA and Seattle, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,799 in Springfield, MA versus $2,508 in Seattle, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Springfield, MA or in Seattle, WA?
Dining out is cheaper in Springfield, MA – a meal for two runs $83 versus $101 in Seattle, WA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Springfield, MA and in Seattle, WA?
All in, you’ll spend $3,093 per month in Springfield, MA versus $3,785 in Seattle, WA – Springfield, MA is about 18% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Springfield, MA or in Seattle, WA?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Springfield, MA is the more realistic option, but even there you’ll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is it better to live in Springfield, MA or in Seattle, WA?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Springfield, MA gentler on the wallet – expenses run 18% less than in Seattle, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Springfield, MA vs other spots: cost of living compared

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