Skip to content

Seattle vs New York

Seattle runs about 53% cheaper than New York for this household, a difference of 2,220 USD a month.

The Seattle skyline at dusk as viewed from the Jose Rizal Bridge. In the foreground is the Interstate 5 in Washington.
Seattle
$4,162/month · United States
Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0
The New York Stock Exchange in 2022, as seen from a vantage point inside the main trading hall.
New York
$6,382/month · United States
Tobias Deml · CC BY-SA 4.0
Seattle monthly
$4,162
Index 65 (NYC = 100)
New York monthly
$6,382
Index 100 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+53%
New York relative to Seattle
Rent gap
$2,056
New York costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SeattleNew York
  • Housing
    Housing: Seattle $2,020, New York $4,076. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Food
    Food: Seattle $849, New York $910. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Transport
    Transport: Seattle $189, New York $211. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Seattle $227, New York $232. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Seattle $537, New York $559. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Seattle $181, New York $223. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Other
    Other: Seattle $159, New York $171. Cheaper in Seattle.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricSeattleNew York
Cost
Total monthly cost4,162 USD✓6,382 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)65✓100
Housing2,020 USD✓4,076 USD
Utilities227 USD✓232 USD
Food849 USD✓910 USD
Transport189 USD✓211 USD
Healthcare537 USD✓559 USD
Lifestyle181 USD✓223 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,575 USD✓5,887 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.1%✓29.4%
Left over each month2,413 USD✓-495 USD
Average local net salary5,800 USD✓5,400 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,020 USD✓4,076 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,856 USD✓7,873 USD
Buy price per m², centre8,000 USD✓16,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety58/10058/100
Healthcare86/100✓82/100
Air quality78/100✓62/100
Public transport68/10088/100✓
Walkability74/10092/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife76/10096/100✓
Family friendliness70/100✓62/100
Median broadband260 Mbps✓220 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature12°C✓13°C
Summer high26°C✓29°C
Winter low2°C✓-3°C
Sunshine hours per year2,170 h2,535 h✓
Annual rainfall950 mm✓1200 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access25 min✓45 min
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/New_York

Seattle runs about 53% cheaper than New York for this household, a difference of 2,220 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in SeattleCost of living in New YorkConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Seattle vs ChicagoSeattle vs VancouverSeattle vs Toronto
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Seattle or New York cheaper?

Seattle runs about 53% cheaper than New York for this household, a difference of 2,220 USD a month.

What salary do you need in New York compared with Seattle?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,575 a month in Seattle and $5,887 in New York, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Seattle or New York?

Seattle scores 58/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; New York scores 58 and 82. Seattle averages 12°C against 13°C in New York.