Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Seattle vs Vancouver
Seattle vs Vancouver cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Seattle
π¨π¦ VancouverVancouver is 25% cheaper than Seattle
Living on $7,729 a month in Seattle feels like about $6,022 in Vancouver β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$396 vs $283
Per month
$7,729 vs $6,022
Local meal
$ 18 vs C$ 20
$18 vs $14.7
Taxi 5 km
$ 20 vs C$ 16
$20 vs $11.8
At a glance
FoodVancouver 23% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksVancouver 26% cheaper
TransportVancouver 22% cheaper
StayVancouver 23% cheaper
FunVancouver 14% cheaper
- Where Vancouver is clearly cheaper: Taxi (41%β), Restaurant dinner (34%β), Coffee (26%β)
Item by item
| Item | Seattle | Vancouver | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | C$ 20$14.7 | Vancouver β18% |
| Street food1 item | $ 8.1$8.1 | C$ 9$6.62 | Vancouver β18% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 50$50 | C$ 45$33.1 | Vancouver β34% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | Vancouver β26% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 8$8 | C$ 8$5.88 | Vancouver β26% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 21$21 | C$ 21$15.4 | Vancouver β26% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | C$ 2.5$1.84 | Vancouver β8% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | C$ 6.3$4.63 | Vancouver β7% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 20$20 | C$ 16$11.8 | Vancouver β41% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 12$12 | C$ 16$11.8 | similar |
| Transitone ride | $ 3$3 | C$ 3.2$2.35 | Vancouver β22% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 60$60 | C$ 68$50 | Vancouver β17% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 220$220 | C$ 220$162 | Vancouver β26% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,300$2,300 | C$ 2,500$1,838 | Vancouver β20% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | C$ 34$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | C$ 39$28.7 | Vancouver β18% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 100$100 | C$ 110$80.9 | Vancouver β19% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 90$90 | C$ 110$80.9 | Vancouver β10% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 25$25 | C$ 30$22.1 | Vancouver β12% |
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, Seattle or Vancouver?
Vancouver is 25% cheaper than Seattle. Daily budget $396 vs $283; a month $7,729 vs $6,022.
How do monthly costs compare between Seattle and Vancouver?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Seattle is about $7,729 and Vancouver about $6,022 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.