Seattle, United States

Cost of Living in Seattle, United States

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Seattle costs approximately $3,540 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $2,469. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Seattle is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $3,540 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $2,469 per month, or $1,963 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Seattle scores 40/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 78°F and winter highs around 47°F, with roughly 272 sunny days a year.

Top for VolcanoFamily friendlyMajor airport hub
Monthly Cost$3,540≈ $118/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$2,469
Internet303 Mbps
Safety40/100
Avg Temp63°F

Seattle Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$25
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$105
McDonald's Combo Meal$15
Cappuccino$1.50
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$8
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$2.71

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.50
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$4.89
Eggs (12)$7.34
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$7.91
Apples (1 lb)$2.79
Bananas (1 lb)$1.02
Tomatoes (1 lb)$2.97
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.59
Water (1.5L Bottle)$2.59
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$16.50
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$12.13

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$3
Monthly Transit Pass$100
Taxi Start$2.60
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.70
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.22
VW Golf (New)$36,318

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$284.91
Mobile Phone Plan$71.05
Broadband Internet$80.44

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$89.11
Cinema Ticket$18
Preschool (Monthly)$2,570.32
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$29,069.69

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$70.73
Nike Running Shoes$125.50

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$2,468.86
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$1,963.17
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$4,680
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$3,562.50
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$683.42
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$476.07

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$6,579.32
Mortgage Interest Rate6.55%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$5,710.10
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,576.60

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Seattle

Internet303 Mbps
Safety40/100
Healthcare67/100
Public Transit60/100
Walkability74/100
Nightlife50/100
Food Scene82/100
Fine Dining32/100
Coffee Culture87/100
Air Quality89/100
Green Spaces45/100
Culture78/100
Beaches30/100
Hiking85/100
Surfing10/100
Coworking Spaces80

Seattle FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Seattle?

A single person should budget around $3,540 per month in Seattle, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $5,710 per month.

How much is rent in Seattle?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Seattle averages $2,469 per month, dropping to about $1,963 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $4,680.

Is Seattle safe?

Seattle scores 40/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 62/100.

How fast is the internet in Seattle?

Median download speeds in Seattle are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 80 coworking spaces in the city.

Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?

United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.

What is the weather like in Seattle?

Seattle sees summer highs around 78°F and winter highs near 47°F, with about 272 sunny days and 133 rainy days per year.

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