City cost comparison
Seattle vs Los Angeles
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Seattle, WA against Los Angeles, CA.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Los Angeles, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $1,250 | $1,400 | +11% cheaper in Seattle |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,770 | $1,670 | +6% cheaper in Los Angeles |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $710 | $755 | +6% cheaper in Seattle |
| FoodPer child / month | $410 | $420 | +2% cheaper in Seattle |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $98 | $100 | +2% cheaper in Seattle |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.