New York vs Seattle Cost of Living

New York (United States) · Overall index 100.0Seattle (United States) · Overall index 80.2

Summary

  • Overall, Seattle is 20% cheaper than New York.
  • Rent in Seattle is 39% cheaper than in New York.
  • Dining out in Seattle is 17% cheaper than in New York.
ItemNew YorkSeattleDiff
Rent-39%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$4,328$2,547-41%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$2,796$1,601-43%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$7,980$5,039-37%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$4,915$3,191-35%
Groceries-12%
Milk (1L)$1.48$1.41-5%
White bread (500g)$4.03$4-1%
Rice (1kg)$5.54$5.04-9%
Eggs (12)$5.18$4.44-14%
Local cheese (1kg)$16.5$14.9-10%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$13.6$11.7-14%
Beef round (1kg)$22.8$19.3-15%
Apples (1kg)$6.73$5.51-18%
Bananas (1kg)$2.56$2.26-12%
Oranges (1kg)$5.31$4.37-18%
Tomatoes (1kg)$6.04$5.57-8%
Potatoes (1kg)$3.01$2.68-11%
Onions (1kg)$3.09$2.92-6%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.85$2.34-18%
Water (1.5L bottle)$2.81$2.25-20%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$17$14.5-15%
Transport-12%
Public transport, one-way ticket$2.75$2.53-8%
Public transport, monthly pass$145$114-21%
Taxi, base fare$4.13$3.85-7%
Taxi, per km$2.06$1.85-10%
Gasoline (1L)$0.93$0.86-8%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$29,178$24,270-17%
Dining out-17%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$25.5$21.7-15%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$140$117-16%
Fast food combo meal$12.7$12-6%
Cappuccino$5.58$4.86-13%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$3.23$2.24-31%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$8.19$6.45-21%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$8.34$7.3-12%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$2.48$1.87-25%
Telecom-4%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$64.2$61.7-4%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$66.9$63.5-5%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.38$0.34-11%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$14.9$15.4+3%
Utilities & household-9%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$173$176+2%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.25$0.23-8%
Tap water (1m³)$4.81$4.6-4%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.75$1.34-23%
Waste collection (monthly)$23.6$20.4-14%
Fitness club (monthly)$94.7$88.4-7%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$16.6$15.5-7%
Men's haircut$36.8$32.1-13%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$25.1$25.4+1%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$2,473$1,939-22%

3,209 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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