Last update: Oct 2026

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

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.

133

Cost of Living Index in the United States
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United States Living Index
184

Cost of Living Index in Seattle, WA
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Seattle, WA Living Index

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🇺🇸 United States

$2,785

/mo nomad

Seattle, WA

🇺🇸 United States

$3,744

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.22 $20.22

$24.56 $24.56

-17.67%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$81.1 $81.1

$99.5 $99.5

-18.42%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.12 $12.12

$15.30 $15.30

-20.78%

Cappuccino

$5.36 $5.36

$6.62 $6.62

-19.03%

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

$2.77 $2.77

$3.25 $3.25

-14.77%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$3.11 $3.11

-32.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.84 $5.84

$7.77 $7.77

-24.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.92 $7.92

$7.93 $7.93

-0.13%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.21 $1.21

-14.05%

White Bread (500g)

$3.56 $3.56

$4.94 $4.94

-27.94%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.69 $4.69

$6.17 $6.17

-23.99%

Eggs

$4.43 $4.43

$4.96 $4.96

-10.69%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.91 $12.91

$19.00 $19.00

-32.05%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.20 $12.20

$18.69 $18.69

-34.72%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.00 $17.00

$23.14 $23.14

-26.53%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$5.93 $5.93

-10.46%

Banana (1kg)

$1.67 $1.67

$1.94 $1.94

-13.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.49 $4.49

$5.19 $5.19

-13.49%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.05 $5.05

$6.55 $6.55

-22.90%

Potato (1kg)

$2.83 $2.83

$3.62 $3.62

-21.82%

Onion (1kg)

$3.00 $3.00

$3.16 $3.16

-5.06%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.91 $2.91

-21.65%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.27 $2.27

$2.38 $2.38

-4.62%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.33 $10.33

$12.36 $12.36

-16.42%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.72 $14.72

$15.02 $15.02

-2.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.05 $2.05

$4.30 $4.30

-52.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 $3.66

$5.69 $5.69

-35.68%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.33 $2.33

$3.05 $3.05

-23.61%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$65.1 $65.1

$109 $109

-40.10%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.60 $3.60

$2.64 $2.64

36.36%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.90 $1.90

$1.74 $1.74

9.20%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.81 $29.81

$30.02 $30.02

-0.70%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$1.46 $1.46

-29.45%

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

$35.1K $35.1K

$36.7K $36.7K

-4.50%

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

$26.3K $26.3K

$25.7K $25.7K

2.32%

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

$216 $216

$299 $299

-27.83%

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

$62.3 $62.3

$69.7 $69.7

-10.58%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.6 $74.6

$90.1 $90.1

-17.24%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.70 $44.70

$80.0 $80.0

-44.11%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.55 $22.55

$35.62 $35.62

-36.69%

Cinema Ticket

$15.19 $15.19

$17.33 $17.33

-12.35%

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

$1,440 $1,440

$2,986 $2,986

-51.77%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.2K $25.2K

$31.3K $31.3K

-19.39%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.7 $53.7

$77.7 $77.7

-30.90%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.44 $42.44

$54.9 $54.9

-22.64%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.4 $93.4

$126 $126

-25.87%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$115 $115

$165 $165

-30.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,622 $1,622

$2,407 $2,407

-32.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,357 $1,357

$1,963 $1,963

-30.89%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,681 $2,681

$4,788 $4,788

-44.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,170 $2,170

$3,561 $3,561

-39.07%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,294 $3,294

$7,430 $7,430

-55.67%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,674 $2,674

$5,010 $5,010

-46.63%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,242 $4,242

$6,280 $6,280

-32.45%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.55

6.85

-4.38%

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

Last update for the United States: October 6, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 6, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Accommodation & Living

United States

$1.4K 49.4%

Seattle, WA

$2K 51.6% 44.7% $606

Groceries & Markets

United States

$411 15%

Seattle, WA

$541 14.2% 31.7% $130

Monthly Utilities & Internet

United States

$353 12.9%

Seattle, WA

$459 12.1% 30.1% $106

Eating Out

United States

$327 11.9%

Seattle, WA

$402 10.6% 22.9% $75

Clothing & Footwear

United States

$137 5%

Seattle, WA

$191 5% 39.1% $54

Getting Around

United States

$87 3.2%

Seattle, WA

$132 3.5% 51% $45

Sport & Entertainment

United States

$75 2.7%

Seattle, WA

$115 3% 52.7% $40

Cost Breakdown

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

Good to know

🇺🇸 United States

🇺🇸 Seattle, WA

🕒 Local time

05:47 5:47 AM

02:47 2:47 AM

3 h behind the United States

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

340,110,988

737,015

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.892 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Between locations

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

From you

United States
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

United States vs Seattle, WA: 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.