Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
22% cheaper
Seattle is 22% more affordable than Brooklyn. A $75,000 salary in Brooklyn is equivalent to $58,462 in Seattle.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: New York salaries · Washington salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Brooklyn has a housing index of 325 while Seattle sits at 224 (national average = 100). The median home in Brooklyn costs $780,000 compared to $750,000 in Seattle, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,900 in Brooklyn versus $2,300 in Seattle.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Brooklyn scores 108 while Seattle scores 109.
Healthcare costs in Brooklyn (108) are lower than Seattle (109).
Median household income in Brooklyn is $65,294 compared to $97,185 in Seattle. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Seattle.
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