Cost of Living in Seattle
Summary of cost of living in Seattle, WA, United States:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 5,765.7$, excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 1,582.4$, excluding rent.
- Seattle is 26.2% more expensive than Columbus (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Seattle is, on average, 55.7% higher than in Columbus.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 25.00 $ | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 120.00 $ | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 15.00 $ | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 8.00 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 8.25 $ | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 6.02 $ | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 3.02 $ | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 2.56 $ | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 1.43 $ | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 4.74 $ | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 2.36 $ | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 7.52 $ | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 10.41 $ | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 7.51 $ | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 9.84 $ | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 2.85 $ | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 1.24 $ | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 2.45 $ | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 3.24 $ | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 1.51 $ | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 1.51 $ | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 2.85 $ | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 2.65 $ | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 17.50 $ | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 3.52 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 4.74 $ | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 12.50 $ | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 3.00 $ | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 99.00 $ | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 2.60 $ | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 2.70 $ | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 30.00 $ | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 1.20 $ | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 36,656.56 $ | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-size Car) | 26,056.26 $ | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 262.84 $ | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 65.26 $ | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 78.66 $ | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 88.41 $ | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 40.44 $ | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 16.00 $ | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 2,200.00 $ | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 30,000.00 $ | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 71.59 $ | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 54.09 $ | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 116.00 $ | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 138.42 $ | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 2,348.25 $ | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 1,895.83 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 4,490.48 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 3,395.52 $ | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 638.87 $ | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 478.24 $ | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 6,541.33 $ | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 6.53 |
Prices in Seattle, Washington
This city had 1941 entries in the past 12 months by 244 different contributors.
Last update: 23 October 2025
Last update: 23 October 2025
Sources and References
Moving to Seattle, WA? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Tacoma, Washington | 35.67 miles |
| Cost of Living in Olympia, Washington | 63.39 miles |
| Cost of Living in Bremerton, Washington | 66.37 miles |
| Cost of Living in Vancouver, Washington | 166.62 miles |
| Cost of Living in Portland, Oregon | 176.13 miles |
This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in Seattle
|
 PortuguêsCusto de Vida em Seattle
|
 ItalianoCosto della Vita a Seattle
|
 FrançaisCoût de la Vie à Seattle
|
 EspañolCosto de Vida en Seattle
|
repeatedly as one of the most livable and fun city's in the USA.
Back then rental prices were very reasonable,even downright cheap...The only place I ever
saw homeless people back then was in Pioneer square, hanging around the millionaires
club....No road diets..No toll roads...Cheap gas..And hey we even had Almost Live on
the air to keep us laughing at our self....It was all fantastic and fun...
Seattle is hardly the same city any more...It makes me sad to see what it has become.
I guess Seattle is now only a livable city for the Very Very well off and the rich..
They wish !
See for yourself :
https://gfmag.com/data/richest-countries-in-the-world/
$7000 a month average salary? I don't think so !
Look into health insurance and taxes and you will think twice before moving here.
And what do you get for all these hard earned dollars ?
Crime, addicts everywhere, crap weather.
According to the Numbeo "Current Local Purchasing Power Index by City" rating, the city of Seattle ranks 4st in the world and 1st in the USA. This means that in Seattle you can save a lot of money from one salary after all monthly expenses
Rent is too high.
Gas is too high
The city would tax air if they could.
People a fickle
Fentanyl freaks like any big city now days.
Beautiful views everywhere
Weather is fantastic 8 months a year and 85 is hot here.
Some of the most beautiful women in the country up here.
Relatively safe compared to other cities
Great shopping
Tons of old cars up here too and rare ones.
Water water everywhere
8/10
Unfortunately, unless you work in tech, for Microsoft or Amazon, etc., you can’t afford to live here. Property values are through the roof, as are rents, precisely because all those techies have moved here. The working class is pushed farther and farther out into the suburbs, while the small houses that were built around WWII— the heart of Seattle’s identity and personality—are torn down and replaced with ugly McMansions.
It’s a fine place to live, if you’re wealthy. Otherwise, not so much.