Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ New York vs Seattle
New York vs Seattle cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ New York
πΊπΈ SeattleSeattle is 25% cheaper than New York
Living on $11,647 a month in New York feels like about $7,729 in Seattle β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$478 vs $396
Per month
$11,647 vs $7,729
Local meal
$ 20 vs $ 18
$20 vs $18
Taxi 5 km
$ 23 vs $ 20
$23 vs $20
At a glance
FoodSeattle 10% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksSeattle 9% cheaper
TransportSeattle 8% cheaper
StaySeattle 31% cheaper
FunSeattle 10% cheaper
- Where Seattle is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (41%β), Hotel night (21%β), Convenience store (21%β)
Item by item
| Item | New York | Seattle | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 20$20 | $ 18$18 | Seattle β10% |
| Street food1 item | $ 9$9 | $ 8.1$8.1 | Seattle β10% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 55$55 | $ 50$50 | Seattle β9% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 6$6 | $ 5.5$5.5 | Seattle β8% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 9$9 | $ 8$8 | Seattle β11% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 23$23 | $ 21$21 | Seattle β9% |
| Bottled water | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2$2 | Seattle β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 6.3$6.3 | $ 5$5 | Seattle β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 23$23 | $ 20$20 | Seattle β13% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 14$14 | $ 12$12 | Seattle β14% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.9$2.9 | $ 3$3 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 68$68 | $ 60$60 | Seattle β12% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 280$280 | $ 220$220 | Seattle β21% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 3,900$3,900 | $ 2,300$2,300 | Seattle β41% |
| Laundry | $ 4.5$4.5 | $ 4$4 | Seattle β11% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 28$28 | $ 25$25 | Seattle β11% |
| Haircutcut | $ 39$39 | $ 35$35 | Seattle β10% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 110$110 | $ 100$100 | Seattle β9% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 100$100 | $ 90$90 | Seattle β10% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 28$28 | $ 25$25 | Seattle β11% |
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, New York or Seattle?
Seattle is 25% cheaper than New York. Daily budget $478 vs $396; a month $11,647 vs $7,729.
How do monthly costs compare between New York and Seattle?
With a short-term studio and living costs, New York is about $11,647 and Seattle about $7,729 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.