Is It Cheaper To Live In San Francisco Or Seattle?

Moving to a new city is a big decision, particularly regarding how much it is going to cost to live there. San Francisco and Seattle are both great places to live, but one of them is clearly cheaper to live in than the other. If you're trying to decide which city is the more affordable option, let's compare it based on housing, eating out, transportation, and daily costs.

Find Out How Much Homes And Rent Costs In San Francisco And Seattle Compared To Each Other To See Which City Is More Affordable

Housing is one of the largest bills regardless of where you reside, and in this instance, there is a definitive winner. San Francisco has some of the most expensive housing in the nation. You can pay anywhere from $3,000 to $3,500 per month to rent a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, while in Seattle you can pay anywhere from $2,000 to $2,500 per month to rent the same type of apartment. That's a huge difference!

If you're going to buy a house, it's also a lot more costly in San Francisco. The average house price in San Francisco is over $1.2 million, while in Seattle it's about $800,000 to $900,000. While both are costly, Seattle is definitely the cheaper one when it comes to housing.

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Comparing The San Francisco And Seattle Eating-Out Food Prices Compared To Grocery Prices To Find Out Where You Can Pay Less For Meals

Everyone has to eat, but how much will you spend in each city? San Francisco is quite high when it comes to eating, and casual dining is not cheap at all. A dinner in a middle-range restaurant in San Francisco could cost you $20 to $25 per person, whereas in Seattle you pay $15 to $20. Food shopping will also cost a bit more in San Francisco, especially fresh fruits and vegetables and dairy products.

Seattle has several area farmers' markets that help offset the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables. Seattle is a slight bargain when you eat out and at the store compared to these two cities that have more-than-average food prices.

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Comparing Seattle And San Francisco Transportation Prices To See Which City Has Cheaper Public Transport And Gasoline Prices

If you do not have a car, public transportation is something you will need to explore. San Francisco's public transportation system is famous, but it costs a lot of money. A Bay Area BART pass costs about $96 per month, whereas a comparable transit pass in Seattle would cost about $81.

Gas is also usually more costly in California than it is in Washington. Gas in San Francisco is usually $0.50 to $1.00 more per gallon than it is in Seattle. If you drive a lot, you will probably spend less money on gas in Seattle.

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Looking At Utility Bills And Other Daily Costs In San Francisco And Seattle To See Which City Has A Lower Cost Of Living

When it comes to utilities such as electricity, water, and internet, the rates are very comparable in both cities. For day-to-day expenses such as gym memberships, outings, and healthcare, San Francisco is a bit pricier.

For example, a membership at a San Francisco gym would cost $60 to $80 per month, while in Seattle it would cost $40 to $60. Medical costs are also higher in San Francisco because California tends to have higher medical costs.

Finding Out If It Is Costlier To Live In San Francisco Or Seattle According To Housing, Food, Transportation, And Other Daily Expenses

Though both cities tend to be pricey, Seattle is the more affordable choice. Housing is considerably less expensive, restaurant and food eating is a bit cheaper, and transportation is less expensive. If you prefer a large city at a lower cost of living, Seattle is the way to go. Of course, your ideal city will depend upon your lifestyle, career opportunities, and personal desires. But in case thrift is high on your list, then Seattle is where you need to be!