Cost of Living Comparison between South Bend, IN vs Seattle, WA

Yes, cost of food is important as we all have to eat! There are ways to save money on your food expenses if you plan carefully. Check out stores like Kroger to buy items in bulk at a considerable savings. At different times of the year you can get local produce low prices at roadside stands or farmer’s markets. There are lots of ways to reduce food expenses and lower your overall cost of living in Seattle, WA. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

I love baseball. In Seattle, Washington I go to a lot of Seattle Mariners games. The tickets are expensive and add to my entertainment expenses, increasing my cost of living, but it is worth it! It is so much fun to see my favorite team in person. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

The average cost of moving to another state is around $5,600 for a distance of 1,200 miles. This price can vary a lot if the distance is greater and depending on how much is being moved. Even if your employer is covering the cost of a move, there will still be costs that are not covered. A cost that typically occurs is that your existing furniture and accessories are either too large, too small, or not appropriate for your new home. You may find that after you move, you will need to purchase many new items for the new location, for example, window coverings, rugs, lighting, and outdoor gear. Make sure you budget for these types of expenses and include them in the first year’s cost of living at your new location. Finally, although there is no dollar cost, is the stress of moving, which will increase if you have children or pets. Make sure you prepare in advance for what additional TLC those kids and pets will need to have a good move. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

The cost of electricity in Washington has gone down by 1.608% in the past year. It is possible that electric rates may fluctuate depending on consumption rates, government regulations and even the weather. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

The estimated average annual cost for child care in Seattle, Washington (based on state average), is $12733. This cost is ranked NO. 10 nationally. Some employers have company provided day care centers that let you bring your child to work with you and receive care on site. Some colleges and universities with Childhood Education programs also may have day care centers available at reduced costs, so you should explore those possibilities to see if you can reduce your child care expense. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

In Seattle,WA, my friend pays $1646 for a large 2 bedroom apartment. Since he has 2 children, he needs to have a large apartment. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

Looks for areas of Seattle, Washington where there is a large student population. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. Look at the website for Seattle, WA to find recommendations for activities that are available and unique to the area. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

The sales tax for Seattle is 6.5%. This is the tax that you will pay on things that you buy. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

Seattle, Washington is considered to have a very good public transport system. Washington is ranked NO. 6 in U.S for public transportation availability. Utilizing public transportation could reduce commuting costs in Seattle, Washington. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

If you are planning to drive to work, you will be spending a lot of time and gas to get there. Seattle, Washington is one of the Worst cities in the United States for driving. Seattle, Washington is ranked number 96 out of 100 major cities. Plan on spending more on gas and auto expenses if you move to Seattle, Washington, resulting in a higher cost of living. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

In Seattle, WA, the average commute time is about 42.99 minutes. This can vary depending on the time of day, day of week, and the weather and road conditions. If the weather is bad, commute time can double! You should factor this commuting time into your overall cost of living, since your time has value. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

Bring your umbrella! Seattle, Washington has on average 149 days per years with rain. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

Public transit in Seattle, WA will cost you around $99.00 per month. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )