Cost of Living in Seattle, WA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,471 (excluding rent), and $3,673 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,750 (excluding rent), and $7,624 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.58 $24.58

$14.75 $14.75

$38.35 $38.35

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$119 $119

$74.4 $74.4

$198 $198

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.21 $14.21

$12.18 $12.18

$15.73 $15.73

Cappuccino

$5.61 $5.61

$3.45 $3.45

$7.88 $7.88

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

$3.03 $3.03

$2.04 $2.04

$4.09 $4.09

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.47 $1.47

$4.91 $4.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.61 $7.61

$5.90 $5.90

$9.83 $9.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$6.10 $6.10

$13.21 $13.21

Milk (1 liter)

$1.36 $1.36

$0.91 $0.91

$2.15 $2.15

White Bread (500g)

$4.82 $4.82

$2.96 $2.96

$7.53 $7.53

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.34 $5.34

$2.59 $2.59

$11.14 $11.14

Eggs

$6.82 $6.82

$2.83 $2.83

$9.10 $9.10

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.08 $25.08

$11.11 $11.11

$44.43 $44.43

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.14 $16.14

$6.70 $6.70

$26.92 $26.92

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.50 $20.50

$15.41 $15.41

$26.42 $26.42

Apples (1kg)

$6.21 $6.21

$3.33 $3.33

$8.94 $8.94

Banana (1kg)

$2.88 $2.88

$1.56 $1.56

$5.66 $5.66

Oranges (1kg)

$5.32 $5.32

$3.03 $3.03

$12.96 $12.96

Tomato (1kg)

$6.55 $6.55

$3.27 $3.27

$8.79 $8.79

Potato (1kg)

$3.20 $3.20

$1.77 $1.77

$6.65 $6.65

Onion (1kg)

$3.76 $3.76

$1.95 $1.95

$6.58 $6.58

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.81 $2.81

$1.83 $1.83

$4.08 $4.08

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.22 $1.22

$3.91 $3.91

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.60 $11.60

$10.09 $10.09

$15.13 $15.13

Wine (Bottle)

$16.70 $16.70

$12.15 $12.15

$25.31 $25.31

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.98 $2.98

$1.76 $1.76

$4.37 $4.37

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.34 $4.34

$2.03 $2.03

$8.13 $8.13

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.83 $2.83

$3.09 $3.09

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$99.5 $99.5

$90.4 $90.4

$121 $121

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.62 $2.62

$5.05 $5.05

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.83 $1.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.48 $30.48

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.15 $1.15

$1.00 $1.00

$1.30 $1.30

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

$33.0K $33.0K

$28.0K $28.0K

$36.6K $36.6K

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.1K $25.1K

$27.0K $27.0K

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

$270 $270

$156 $156

$425 $425

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

$61.9 $61.9

$35.68 $35.68

$112 $112

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.1 $75.1

$49.87 $49.87

$120 $120

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$80.5 $80.5

$40.65 $40.65

$152 $152

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.95 $40.95

$30.38 $30.38

$45.56 $45.56

Cinema Ticket

$15.91 $15.91

$13.92 $13.92

$20.88 $20.88

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

$2,264 $2,264

$1,510 $1,510

$3,019 $3,019

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.4K $29.4K

$28.1K $28.1K

$35.1K $35.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.3 $69.3

$39.89 $39.89

$99.7 $99.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.1 $53.1

$30.17 $30.17

$80.5 $80.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$118 $118

$70.1 $70.1

$150 $150

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$76.4 $76.4

$204 $204

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,307 $2,307

$1,867 $1,867

$3,145 $3,145

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,878 $1,878

$1,612 $1,612

$2,417 $2,417

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,573 $4,573

$3,432 $3,432

$5,882 $5,882

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,483 $3,483

$2,757 $2,757

$3,939 $3,939

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,779 $7,779

$6,324 $6,324

$10.3K $10.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,269 $5,269

$4,368 $4,368

$6,942 $6,942

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,536 $6,536

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

7.4

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

Last update: February 28, 2026

Seattle, WA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Seattle, WA - Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle tends to be pricier than many U.S. metros, especially for housing, groceries, and dining out. However, you can still find value by choosing the right neighborhoods and a flexible schedule. Capitol Hill offers walkable access to amenities and nightlife; Ballard can provide more affordable rents with a waterfront vibe; Queen Anne combines proximity to parks with views. Public transit, biking, and ridesharing help keep transport costs reasonable, and you can sample local markets and casual eateries to stretch your budget. Summers are lively for outdoor days; winters are damp but manageable with coffee breaks. Understanding Cost of Living in Seattle, WA, United States helps you set expectations as you plan housing and transit. Tip: Build a monthly plan that separates fixed housing costs from flexible food and transport expenses.

When you're searching for housing, focus on neighborhoods that match your work pace and social life – Capitol Hill, Ballard, U-District, or Queen Anne – balancing transit access with reasonable rents. Food options run from farmers markets and casual eateries to international spots you can grab on the go. For groceries, you’ll find everything from big chains to local co-ops. Transport is flexible: light rail, buses, bikes, and walking cut car costs and keep you agile. For coworking, look for day passes or short-term memberships near your residence. Seattle, WA, United States living cost helps you plan daily routines and errands. Tip: Use day passes or flexible coworking options to save on monthly fees.

Your quality of life comes from balance, not price alone. Build a simple budgeting framework that separates fixed housing, utilities, and transit from discretionary fun and dining. In Seattle, the weather nudges you toward indoor hobbies in autumn and rainy months, while summers invite outdoor work and exploration. Choose a neighborhood that fits your rhythm – Capitol Hill for nightlife, Ballard for a quieter, more residential pace, or West Seattle for a longer beachside view – and test a short-term rental or month-to-month option before committing. Look for community events, libraries, and coworking discounts to stretch resources. Tip: Align your housing choice with your typical commute to save time and money.