Miami wins overall by ~18% (COL index)
Cost of living: Miami vs Seattle (2026)
A $77,500 salary in Miami buys roughly what $94,512 does in Seattle (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,659/yr
Favoring Miami for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $138/mo in Miami, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Miami Florida | Seattle Washington | Who wins | Your impact at $78K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $2,000 | $1,900Better | Seattle wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Seattle |
| 1BR rent/mo | $2,500 | $2,400Better | Seattle wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Seattle |
| 2BR rent/mo | $3,500 | $3,300Better | Seattle wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Seattle |
| Median home price | $620KWins | $750K | Miami wins +$130K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 105Better | 108 | Miami wins +3 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $16Better | $18 | Miami wins +$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $65Better | $70 | Miami wins +$5/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $112 | $100Better | Seattle wins −$12/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.50Wins | $4.20 | Miami wins +$0.70 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $215 | $160Wins | Seattle wins −$55/mo | $660/yr saves in Seattle |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $185 | $120Wins | Seattle wins −$65/mo | $780/yr saves in Seattle |
| Internet/mo | $70 | $65Better | Seattle wins −$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $58K | $97KWins | Seattle wins +$39K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Wins | 10.3% | Miami wins +3.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00Better | $17.00 | Miami wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $45Wins | $60 | Miami wins +$15/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Wins | $8.00 | Miami wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 123Wins | 150 | Miami wins +27 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 78Better | 73 | Miami wins -5 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Miami fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Miami.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
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Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Miami cheaper than Seattle?
Yes. Miami is 18% cheaper than Seattle based on overall cost of living indices (123 vs 150, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Miami vs Seattle?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Miami is $2,500/month and in Seattle is $2,400/month. Miami is more expensive by 4%.
How much do I need to earn in Seattle to match a $75,000 salary in Miami?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $91,463/year in Seattle to match a $75,000 salary in Miami. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Miami or Seattle?
Seattle has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Seattle has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Miami to Seattle?
It depends on your priorities. Miami offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Miami ↔ Seattle
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