City comparison
Seattle vs Washington Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Seattle (137.2) and Washington (142.9).
Seattle Index
137.2
Washington Index
142.9
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Washington Rent
$3,800
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Washington Home price
$705,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Seattle to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Washington.
Equivalent salary in Washington
$117,695
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Seattle and Washington.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Seattle | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 184 | 201 | +17.0 (+9.2%) |
| Groceries | 118 | 117 | -1.0 (-0.8%) |
| Transportation | 113 | 109 | -4.0 (-3.5%) |
| Healthcare | 109 | 111 | +2.0 (+1.8%) |
| Utilities | 103 | 104 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 116 | 118 | +2.0 (+1.7%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,410 / $6,720
Seattle / Washington
Couple
$10,640 / $11,160
Seattle / Washington
Family
$15,000 / $15,720
Seattle / Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.