Seattle vs Perth
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Perth is ~18% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Seattle
United States
COL+Rent
67.7
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
82.2
Restaurant
86.5
Perth
Australia
COL+Rent
55.7
Rent Index
39.5
Groceries
74
Restaurant
63.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Seattle | Perth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,553 | $1,758 | +$795 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,001 | $1,311 | +$690 |
| Groceries | $471 | $412 | +$59 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $22 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $83 | $97 | $14 |
| Utilities | $191 | $146 | +$45 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Seattle | Perth |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,705/mo | $1,930/mo |
| Typical | $3,673/mo | $2,743/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,525/mo | $3,419/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Seattle | ≈ in Perth | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,234/mo | -$266 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,645/mo | -$355 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,468/mo | -$532 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Seattle vs Perth for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Perth is approximately 18% more affordable than Seattle when combining rent and daily living costs. Seattle's COL+Rent Index of 67.7 vs Perth's 55.7 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Seattle costs $2,553/month versus $1,758/month in Perth — giving Perth a $795/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $9,540 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Seattle ($471/mo) vs Perth ($412/mo) reflect Perth's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $22 show Perth offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Perth offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,743 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.