2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA vs Seattle, WA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Seattle or is it cheaper to live in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
- Seattle is 4.1% more expensive than Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Which city has more affordable housing, Seattle or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
- Seattle housing costs are 55.2% less expensive than Carmel-by-the-Sea housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Carmel-by-the-Sea or is Health Care more affordable in Seattle.
- Health related expenses are 38.6% less in Seattle.
 Carmel-by-the-Sea, CASeattle, WAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock158.1100
 Food & Groceries118.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.2100
 Housing651.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$823,900$338,100
 Utilities87  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock137.5100
 Miscellaneous112.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Carmel-By-The-Sea    3 Reviews

Over 9 years ago

Climate, cost &  More

   |    Reply

carmel has about 60 vacation homes and a dense cottage-y downtown. basically it is a tourist trap cental business district and a bunch of vacation rental homes. the  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

Liberals have run me out of town. The political is so overwhelming I am looking to relocate. However, if you are an aging hippie with a great deal of money you will be  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Carmel-By-The-Sea

Reviews for Seattle    321 Reviews

I have lived here since 1975, I moved here from California but was born and raised in Michigan. I would have to say that I never regretted leaving Michigan and their  More

   |    Reply

Over 3 years ago

I’ve lived in Seattle for just under 7 years and while it can be a stunningly beautiful place, I am very excited to leave. I’ll start with some of the positive aspects.  More

   |    Reply

if you can afford it, Seattle is a very nice place to live and raise a family! however, it is extremely expensive and in the winter, it's rather gloomy. i love gloomy  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Seattle


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.