Seattle costs 100-500 USD per day for travelers in 2026. Hotels average 150 USD/night, meals cost 30-70 USD, making Seattle moderately expensive compared to other Pacific Northwest destinations. Budget travelers (100 USD/day): Stay in hostels (50 USD/night), eat at local restaurants (30 USD/meal), use public transport. Mid-range travelers (250 USD/day): Comfortable hotels (150 USD/night), varied dining (70 USD/meal), occasional taxis. Luxury travelers (500 USD/day): Premium hotels (300 USD/night), fine dining (150 USD/meal), private tours. Top money-saving tip: Visit food trucks and casual dining spots. Free activities include pike place market – historic farmers market with local produce, crafts, and street performers. Seattle ranks as moderately expensive within Pacific Northwest, offering excellent value compared to regional averages.
Plan the practical part
Seattle Trip Cost: How Much Does It Cost to Visit in 2026?
Daily budget guide for Seattle (prices in USD)Updated
- Budget$100–$250 / day
- Mid-range$250–$500 / day
- Luxury$500–$750 / day
What a day in Seattle costs
Budget
$100–$250 / day
Hostels or guesthouses, street food and markets, public transport.
Mid-range
$250–$500 / day
Comfortable hotels, sit-down restaurants, a few paid activities.
Luxury
$500–$750 / day
Boutique or five-star stays, fine dining, private tours and transfers.
Estimates are per person, per day, in USD.
Make it your trip
What could your trip cost?
Choose your pace and travel style. Start with the published daily estimate, then make room for the things you care about.
Estimated trip budget · USD
7 days · 1 traveler · Mid-range
- Daily budget per person
- $250–$500
- Season adjustment
- ×1
An editorial estimate, not a booking quote. Daily budget × days × travelers × season adjustment. Add flights, insurance, and any costs outside the guide separately. Shared rooms and child rates may change your total.
Where the money goes
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay | $98 | $235 | $545 |
| Eat | $34 | $81 | $171 |
| Do | $10 | $50 | $100 |
| Categories combined | $142 | $366 | $816 |
Category figures are typical daily spends; the tier totals above them include everyday extras, so the two need not match to the unit.
Everyday prices
- Prices
- [{"good_id":3,"item_name":"International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child","category_id":2,"category_name":"Childcare","min":19000,"avg":26216.67,"max":39600,"usd":{"min":"19000.00","avg":"26216.67","max":"39600.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":4,"item_name":"Private Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly for 1 Child","category_id":2,"category_name":"Childcare","min":1200,"avg":1892.46,"max":2584.92,"usd":{"min":"1200.00","avg":"1892.46","max":"2584.92"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":5,"item_name":"Pair of Jeans in a Chain Store Like George, H&M, Zara, etc.","category_id":3,"category_name":"Clothing And Shoes","min":40,"avg":52.55,"max":80,"usd":{"min":"40.00","avg":"52.55","max":"80.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":6,"item_name":"Pair of Leather Business Shoes","category_id":3,"category_name":"Clothing And Shoes","min":80,"avg":131.19,"max":200,"usd":{"min":"80.00","avg":"131.19","max":"200.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":7,"item_name":"Pair of Running Shoes, Mid-Range Price","category_id":3,"category_name":"Clothing And Shoes","min":70,"avg":98.3,"max":126.6,"usd":{"min":"70.00","avg":"98.30","max":"126.60"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":12,"item_name":"Bottle of Wine, Mid-Range Price","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":10,"avg":15,"max":20,"usd":{"min":"10.00","avg":"15.00","max":"20.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":14,"item_name":"Domestic Beer, 0.5 liter Bottle","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1.43,"avg":2.67,"max":4.29,"usd":{"min":"1.43","avg":"2.67","max":"4.29"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":15,"item_name":"Eggs, 12 pack","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1.79,"avg":2.97,"max":4.29,"usd":{"min":"1.79","avg":"2.97","max":"4.29"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":17,"item_name":"Lettuce, 1 head","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1.2,"avg":2.1,"max":3,"usd":{"min":"1.20","avg":"2.10","max":"3.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":23,"item_name":"Pack of Cigarettes","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":9.5,"avg":10,"max":12,"usd":{"min":"9.50","avg":"10.00","max":"12.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":27,"item_name":"Water, 1.5 liter Bottle","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1,"avg":2.21,"max":3.89,"usd":{"min":"1.00","avg":"2.21","max":"3.89"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":28,"item_name":"One bedroom apartment outside of city centre","category_id":5,"category_name":"Rent Per Month","min":1300,"avg":1659.61,"max":2019.22,"usd":{"min":"1300.00","avg":"1659.61","max":"2019.22"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":29,"item_name":"One bedroom apartment in city centre","category_id":5,"category_name":"Rent Per Month","min":1800,"avg":2179.45,"max":2800,"usd":{"min":"1800.00","avg":"2179.45","max":"2800.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":30,"item_name":"Three bedroom apartment outside of city centre","category_id":5,"category_name":"Rent Per Month","min":2000,"avg":2886.21,"max":3772.42,"usd":{"min":"2000.00","avg":"2886.21","max":"3772.42"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":31,"item_name":"Three bedroom apartment in city centre","category_id":5,"category_name":"Rent Per Month","min":3000,"avg":3877.59,"max":6100,"usd":{"min":"3000.00","avg":"3877.59","max":"6100.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":32,"item_name":"Cappuccino","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":3.5,"avg":4.74,"max":6,"usd":{"min":"3.50","avg":"4.74","max":"6.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":36,"item_name":"McMeal at McDonalds or Alternative Combo Meal","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":8,"avg":10,"max":12,"usd":{"min":"8.00","avg":"10.00","max":"12.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":37,"item_name":"Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":60,"avg":80,"max":130,"usd":{"min":"60.00","avg":"80.00","max":"130.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":38,"item_name":"Meal in Inexpensive Restaurant","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":10,"avg":18,"max":30,"usd":{"min":"10.00","avg":"18.00","max":"30.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":40,"item_name":"Average Monthly Net Salary, After Tax","category_id":7,"category_name":"Salaries And Financing","min":5226.39,"avg":5807.1,"max":6387.81,"usd":{"min":"5226.39","avg":"5807.10","max":"6387.81"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":42,"item_name":"Cinema ticket, 1 Seat","category_id":8,"category_name":"Sports And Leisure","min":12,"avg":14.5,"max":18,"usd":{"min":"12.00","avg":"14.50","max":"18.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":43,"item_name":"Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult","category_id":8,"category_name":"Sports And Leisure","min":33,"avg":65.54,"max":110,"usd":{"min":"33.00","avg":"65.54","max":"110.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":44,"item_name":"Tennis Court Rent, 1 Hour on Weekend","category_id":8,"category_name":"Sports And Leisure","min":15,"avg":34.38,"max":53.76,"usd":{"min":"15.00","avg":"34.38","max":"53.76"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":46,"item_name":"Monthly Pass, Regular Price","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":80,"avg":99,"max":118,"usd":{"min":"80.00","avg":"99.00","max":"118.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":47,"item_name":"One-way Ticket, Local Transport","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":2.5,"avg":2.75,"max":3.5,"usd":{"min":"2.50","avg":"2.75","max":"3.50"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":48,"item_name":"Taxi, price for 1 hour Waiting, Normal Tariff","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":27,"avg":30,"max":33,"usd":{"min":"27.00","avg":"30.00","max":"33.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":50,"item_name":"Taxi Start, Normal Tariff","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":2.6,"avg":2.65,"max":6,"usd":{"min":"2.60","avg":"2.65","max":"6.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":52,"item_name":"Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":22000,"avg":25000,"max":28000,"usd":{"min":"22000.00","avg":"25000.00","max":"28000.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":53,"item_name":"Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local, price per 1 min, No Discounts or Plans","category_id":10,"category_name":"Utilities Per Month","min":0.01,"avg":0.12,"max":0.23,"usd":{"min":"0.01","avg":"0.12","max":"0.23"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":55,"item_name":"Internet, 60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL","category_id":10,"category_name":"Utilities Per Month","min":50,"avg":64.26,"max":100,"usd":{"min":"50.00","avg":"64.26","max":"100.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":64,"item_name":"Summer Dress in a Chain Store Like George, H&M, Zara, etc.","category_id":3,"category_name":"Clothing And Shoes","min":25,"avg":44.72,"max":64.44,"usd":{"min":"25.00","avg":"44.72","max":"64.44"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":65,"item_name":"Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages for 20 Years Fixed-Rate, Yearly, Fixed-Rate","category_id":7,"category_name":"Salaries And Financing","min":3.15,"avg":3.5,"max":3.85,"measure":"percent"}]
- Currency
- USD
- Exchange rate
- $1
Typical prices at the time of research, in USD; expect variation by neighbourhood and season.
Prices through the year
- Low×0.9
- High×1.2
- Shoulder×1
Stretch your budget
Ways to save
- Stay in hostels or budget hotels, potentially saving $50-100/night compared to luxury hotels (e.g., Green Tortoise Hostel vs. downtown hotels).
- Utilize public transportation (ORCA card) for $2.75-$3.50 per ride, avoiding expensive parking fees (up to $20-30/day) and ride-share costs.
- Eat at local markets (Pike Place Market for lunch under $10 vs. sit-down restaurants at $20+) or happy hour deals (often 25-50% off appetizers/drinks).
- Take advantage of free attractions like Kerry Park for skyline views, walking through Pike Place Market, or exploring the Olympic Sculpture Park, saving $20-30 per attraction.
- Visit during the shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) for potentially lower flight and accommodation prices (e.g., $150-200/night for hotels vs. $250+ in summer).
- Pack a reusable water bottle and snacks to avoid paying inflated prices for drinks and convenience foods (saving $5-10/day).
Budget tips
- {"tip": "Visit food trucks and casual dining spots", "category": "Food", "explanation": "Seattle has a great food truck scene offering diverse cuisines at affordable prices."}
- {"tip": "Use public transportation", "category": "Transportation", "explanation": "Seattle's public transit system is efficient and more affordable than taxis or ride-shares."}
- {"tip": "Consider hostels or budget hotels", "category": "Accommodation", "explanation": "Areas like Fremont offer budget-friendly options like Hotel Hotel Hostel."}
Worth the splurge
- Reserve a table at Canlis for fine Pacific Northwest cuisine.
- Book a scenic helicopter tour over Mt. Rainier and the city skyline.
- Charter a private sailing cruise on Puget Sound at sunset.
- Indulge in a day spa package at the Willows Lodge in Woodinville Wine Country.
Free things to do
- Free walking tour
- Public parks
- Local markets
Frequently asked questions
How expensive is Seattle?
Daily costs €70–€120 per person (budget to mid-range; luxury can run €200+).
Best money-saving tips?
Use an ORCA card for unlimited transit, join free walking tours, hit museums on free days, eat street food at Pike Place, and shop at local markets.
Average meal cost?
Budget €10 (food truck or grab-and-go), mid-range €20 (casual sit-down), fine €50 (upscale restaurant).
Safety?
Seattle is generally safe with friendly locals. Petty crime can occur downtown—stay aware, avoid poorly lit areas at night, and secure your belongings.
Planning the trip? Read the full Seattle guide.
Budget