Cost of living in Seattle, Washington (United States) is about the same as in Santa Barbara, California (United States)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 275 prices entered by 45 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 1% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Seattle, Washington (United States) is about the same as in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Seattle, Washington | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $26 | $23 | + 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 | $10 | + 18% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $6 | $8 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.12 | $1.21 | - 7% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.83 | $6 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $5.33 | $5.50 | - 3% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $10 | $9 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.42 | $3.67 | + 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.00 | $2.09 | - 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.74 | $3.42 | + 9% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 | $20 | - 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.22 | $2.12 | + 52% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.69 | $3.66 | - 27% | |
| Housing | - 10% | |||
| Housing in Seattle, Washington (United States) is 10% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Seattle, Washington | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,305 | $4,852 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,003 | $3,361 | - 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $275 | $153 | + 80% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,757 | $2,978 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,683 | $2,266 | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $134 | $101 | + 34% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $56 | $90 | - 37% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $230 | $763 | - 70% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $150 | - | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 | $16 | - 16% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $43 | $28 | + 54% | |
| Clothes | - 13% | |||
| Clothes in Seattle, Washington (United States) is 13% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Seattle, Washington | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $67 | $59 | + 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 | $69 | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $89 | $102 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $123 | $108 | + 14% | |
| Transportation | + 66% | |||
| Transportation in Seattle, Washington (United States) is 66% more expensive than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Seattle, Washington | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $28,019 | $21,036 | + 33% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.13 | $1.38 | - 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $93 | $45 | + 106% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $22 | - | - | |
| Personal Care | - 16% | |||
| Personal Care in Seattle, Washington (United States) is 16% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Seattle, Washington | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 | $13 | - 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $12 | $30 | - 59% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $184 | $168 | + 9% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 | $14 | - 38% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.88 | $8 | - 28% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 | $8 | - 24% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $7 | $5.31 | + 31% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.48 | $3.56 | - 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $32 | $25 | + 25% | |
| Entertainment | - 2% | |||
| Entertainment in Seattle, Washington (United States) is about the same as in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Seattle, Washington | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $71 | $59 | + 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 | $25 | + 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $221 | $226 | - 2% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $114 | $98 | + 16% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $16 | $15 | + 8% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.65 | $5.16 | + 9% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 | $7 | + 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $454 | $1,200 | - 62% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.36 | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $80 | $78 | + 2% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $12 | $11 | + 9% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 3% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 275 prices entered by 45 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 07, 2025.
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