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Los Angeles vs Seattle cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐บ๐ธ Los Angeles
๐บ๐ธ Seattle
At a glance
- Where Los Angeles is clearly cheaper: Transit (42%โ), Entry ticket (26%โ), Massage (25%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Seattle is easier to travel (1.6 vs 2.0). Biggest gap: getting around โ Los Angeles 3 vs Seattle 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Los Angeles | Seattle | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | $ 22$22 | Los Angeles โ18% |
| Street food1 item | $ 11$11 | $ 14$14 | Los Angeles โ21% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 48$48 | $ 50$50 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | $ 6$6 | Los Angeles โ8% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 9$9 | $ 8$8 | Seattle โ11% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 17$17 | $ 16$16 | Seattle โ6% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.3$2.3 | Los Angeles โ13% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 3$3 | $ 2.8$2.8 | Seattle โ7% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 18$18 | $ 16$16 | Seattle โ11% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 10$10 | $ 11$11 | Los Angeles โ9% |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.75$1.75 | $ 3$3 | Los Angeles โ42% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 35$35 | $ 40$40 | Los Angeles โ12% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 200$200 | $ 180$180 | Seattle โ10% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,100$2,100 | $ 2,100$2,100 | similar |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4.5$4.5 | Los Angeles โ11% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 26$26 | $ 25$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 30$30 | $ 35$35 | Los Angeles โ14% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 75$75 | $ 100$100 | Los Angeles โ25% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 75$75 | $ 75$75 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 28$28 | $ 38$38 | Los Angeles โ26% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Los Angeles or Seattle?
Los Angeles and Seattle cost about the same. Daily budget $368 vs $355; a month $7,222 vs $7,424.
Which is easier to travel, Los Angeles or Seattle?
Seattle is easier: Seattle 1.6/5 vs Los Angeles 2.0/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Los Angeles and Seattle?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Los Angeles is about $7,222 and Seattle about $7,424 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.