We use a US average of 100 to calculate our cost of living indexes. Anything below 100 indicates Seattle is more affordable than the US average. Whereas Seattle is more expensive than the US average because the cost of living index is above 100.
Cost of living in Seattle 2022
| Cost of Living | Seattle | Washington | USA |
| Overall | 172.3 | 118.7 | 100 |
| Grocery | 108.7 | 101.1 | 100 |
| Health | 85.2 | 83.8 | 100 |
| Housing | 309 | 164.9 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $851,400 | $504,200 | $291,700 |
| Utilities | 68.8 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 137.5 | 113.6 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 120.1 | 99.4 | 100 |
If you want to live in Seattle, you should be willing to spend a lot of money. While California might be home to some expensive cities, San Diego is even more expensive, 19.11% more to be exact.
Cost of living in Seattle Detailed
Utilities (Monthly) | Price | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 218.88 $ | |
| Local Prepaid Mobile Tariff | 0.13 $ | |
| Internet | 63.03 $ | |
Clothing And Shoes | ||
| Pair of Jeans | 50.71 $ | |
| Summer Dress | 42.54 $ | |
| Pair of Nike Running Shoes | 88.91 $ | |
| Pair of Men’s Leather Shoes | 123.40 $ | |
Rent Per Month | ||
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the middle of the city | 1,958.49 $ | |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside the city | 1,575.91 $ | |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the middle of the city | 3,739.66 $ | |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside the city | 2,892.94 $ | |
Buy Apartment Price | ||
| Price / Square Meter in City | 7,275.84 $ | |
| Price / Square Meter Outside the city | 4,651.73 $ | |
Salaries And Financing | ||
| Average Monthly Salary | 6,906.29 $ | |
| Mortgage Interest Rate (%), Yearly, Fixed-Rate | 3.11 |
The rent of a 1 bedroom apartment is an incredible $1960, not including the $218 for utilities. Which is almost half of the average monthly salary, $ 6,906. The other half would be utilized for your transportation and food; grocery prices are 9.5% higher in Seattle than in California and the restaurant prices are almost 30% higher!
However, the average net salary is considered livable in Seattle especially because gas is also cheaper; it costs around $1 / liter.
Cost of living in Seattle for students & families:
In general terms of the total cost of living, Seattle is an expensive city to reside in. However, If rent and utilities are compared to the average monthly salary, it is barely livable. Even if compared to other major cities in the US, the price of monthly living in San Diego is slightly higher.
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