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Seattle vs Vancouver

Vancouver runs about 15% cheaper than Seattle for this household, a difference of 621 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
Downtown Eastside, Vancouver during coronavirus pandemic
Vancouver
$3,541/month · Canada
GoToVan from Vancouver, Canada · CC BY 2.0
Seattle monthly
$4,162
Index 65 (NYC = 100)
Vancouver monthly
$3,541
Index 55 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-15%
Vancouver relative to Seattle
Rent gap
$80
Vancouver costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SeattleVancouver
  • Housing
    Housing: Seattle $2,020, Vancouver $2,100. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Food
    Food: Seattle $849, Vancouver $774. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Transport
    Transport: Seattle $189, Vancouver $162. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Seattle $227, Vancouver $221. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Seattle $537, Vancouver $9.20. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Seattle $181, Vancouver $168. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Other
    Other: Seattle $159, Vancouver $107. Cheaper in Vancouver.
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

MetricSeattleVancouver
Cost
Total monthly cost4,162 USD3,541 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6555✓
Housing2,020 USD✓2,100 USD
Utilities227 USD221 USD✓
Food849 USD774 USD✓
Transport189 USD162 USD✓
Healthcare537 USD9 USD✓
Lifestyle181 USD168 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,575 USD✓6,088 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.1%✓26.9%
Left over each month2,413 USD2,547 USD✓
Average local net salary5,800 USD✓3,300 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,020 USD✓2,100 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,856 USD3,700 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre8,000 USD✓10,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety58/10074/100✓
Healthcare86/100✓84/100
Air quality78/10084/100✓
Public transport68/10070/100✓
Walkability74/10076/100✓
English proficiency100/100✓96/100
Nightlife76/100✓72/100
Family friendliness70/10082/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps✓210 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature12°C11°C✓
Summer high26°C23°C✓
Winter low2°C✓1°C
Sunshine hours per year2,170 h✓1,930 h
Annual rainfall950 mm✓1190 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access25 min15 min✓
CurrencyUSDCAD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/Vancouver

Vancouver runs about 15% cheaper than Seattle for this household, a difference of 621 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in SeattleCost of living in VancouverConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Seattle vs ChicagoSeattle vs TorontoSeattle vs Austin
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Seattle or Vancouver cheaper?

Vancouver runs about 15% cheaper than Seattle for this household, a difference of 621 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Vancouver compared with Seattle?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,575 a month in Seattle and $6,088 in Vancouver, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Seattle or Vancouver?

Seattle scores 58/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; Vancouver scores 74 and 84. Seattle averages 12°C against 11°C in Vancouver.