How expensive is Seattle compared to the rest of United States?

Seattle ranks #20 out of 577 cities globally. It is 31.2% more expensive than the United States average, based on 82 cities. The rent index is 58.5 and local purchasing power is 157.2.

What is the average rent in Seattle?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Seattle city centre costs approximately USD 2,454 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to USD 1,956 (saving 20%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around USD 4,785.

Is Seattle affordable to live in?

Seattle is very expensive by global standards. Groceries are very expensive, restaurants are expensive, and local purchasing power is strong.

🇺🇸 WA, United States · 2026

Levnadskostnader i Seattle

31.2% över United States-genomsnittet

Placering #20 av 577 städer · Dyrare än 96.5% av städerna i världen

+31.2%

Levnadskostnader

+41.6%

Hyra

+20.8%

Livsmedel

+9.0%

Köpkraft

Jämfört med United States-genomsnittet · Se United States-ranking →

Hyrespriser i Seattle

Lägenhet	Innerstad	Utanför centrum	Du sparar
1 rum	USD 2,454/mo	USD 1,956/mo	20%
3 rum	USD 4,785/mo	USD 3,537/mo	26%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Prices of Goods & Services in Seattle

Groceries

Item	Price	Sources
Apples (1kg)	$5.37	2 sources
Beer (0.5L, supermarket)	$3.72	2 sources
Bread (500g)	$3.87	2 sources
Local cheese (1kg)	$19.34	2 sources
Chicken (1kg)	$16.73	2 sources
Cigarettes (Marlboro)	$12.57	2 sources
Eggs (12)	$6.59	2 sources
Milk (1L)	$1.36	2 sources
Potatoes (1kg)	$2.93	2 sources
Tomatoes (1kg)	$5.59	2 sources
Water (1.5L)	$2.61	1 source
Wine (mid-range)	$17.25	2 sources

Apples (1kg)

$5.37

Beer (0.5L, supermarket)

$3.72

Bread (500g)

$3.87

Local cheese (1kg)

$19.34

Chicken (1kg)

$16.73

Cigarettes (Marlboro)

$12.57

Eggs (12)

$6.59

Milk (1L)

$1.36

Potatoes (1kg)

$2.93

Tomatoes (1kg)

$5.59

Water (1.5L)

$2.61

Wine (mid-range)

$17.25

Restaurants

Item	Price	Sources
Draft beer (0.5L)	$8.50	2 sources
Cappuccino	$6.55	2 sources
McMeal	$14.00	2 sources
Cheap meal	$24.00	2 sources
Mid-range dinner (2 people)	$115.50	2 sources

Draft beer (0.5L)

$8.50

Cappuccino

$6.55

McMeal

$14.00

Cheap meal

$24.00

Mid-range dinner (2 people)

$115.50

Clothing & Shoes

Item	Price	Sources
Business shoes (leather)	$123.96	2 sources
Jeans (Levi's 501)	$68.87	2 sources
Sport shoes (Nike)	$113.69	2 sources
Summer dress (Zara/H&M)	$53.64	2 sources

Business shoes (leather)

$123.96

Jeans (Levi's 501)

$68.87

Sport shoes (Nike)

$113.69

Summer dress (Zara/H&M)

$53.64

Leisure

Item	Price	Sources
Cinema ticket	$17.75	2 sources
Gym membership	$90.94	2 sources

Cinema ticket

$17.75

Gym membership

$90.94

Transportation

Item	Price	Sources
Gasoline (1L)	$1.22	2 sources
Taxi start	$2.60	1 source
Monthly pass	$116.50	2 sources

Gasoline (1L)

$1.22

Taxi start

$2.60

Monthly pass

$116.50

Utilities

Item	Price	Sources
Basic utilities (85m²)	$282.96	2 sources

Basic utilities (85m²)

$282.96

Prices in local currency, cross-referenced from multiple independent sources. October 2026.

Multi-Source Comparison

★★★ High Confidence

Seattle has a cost of living index of 75.7 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 3 of 3 data sources.

75.7

Index

Sources

0.8

Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo

75.9

Expatistan

76.0

LivingCost

75.2

ShouldIMove price index

No data

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

View all 577 cities

Kostnadsindex

Levnadskostnader

+31.2% Very expensive

Hyra

+41.6% Very expensive

Livsmedel

+20.8% Very expensive

Restauranger

+17.1% Expensive

Köpkraft

+9.0% Strong

Att bo i Seattle: vad du kan förvänta dig

Seattle är very expensive enligt globala mått (plats #20 av 577 städer). 31.2% dyrare än United States-genomsnittet, baserat på 82 städer.

Matvaror är very expensive, medan att äta ute är expensive. Restaurants erbjuder bäst värde, medan Rent är dyrast.

Den lokala köpkraften är stark: invånare har råd med fler varor och tjänster än i de flesta städer.