City comparison
Washington vs Seattle Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Washington (142.9) and Seattle (137.2).
Washington Index
142.9
Seattle Index
137.2
Washington Rent
$3,800
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Washington Home price
$705,000
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Washington to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Seattle.
Equivalent salary in Seattle
$114,253
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Washington and Seattle.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Washington | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 201 | 184 | -17.0 (-8.5%) |
| Groceries | 117 | 118 | +1.0 (+0.9%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 113 | +4.0 (+3.7%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 109 | -2.0 (-1.8%) |
| Utilities | 104 | 103 | -1.0 (-1.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 116 | -2.0 (-1.7%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,720 / $6,410
Washington / Seattle
Couple
$11,160 / $10,640
Washington / Seattle
Family
$15,720 / $15,000
Washington / Seattle
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
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.