Quick answer
Santa Fe costs $770/month less overall ($1,890 vs $2,660/mo). But Seattle's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $3,920/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Santa Fe vs Seattle
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Santa Fe vs Seattle at a Glance
| Metric | Santa Fe | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,400 ✓ | $2,750 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,750 ✓ | $2,750 |
| Median Home Price | $650K ✓ | $780K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $140 | $130 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $350 ✓ | $430 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,890 ✓ | $2,660 |
| Walk Score | 73/100 | 74/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 32/100 | 59/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.9% | None ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Santa Fe's 1BR averages $1,400/month vs $2,100 in Seattle — a $700/month difference, or $8,400/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Seattle charges None state income tax vs 4.9% in Santa Fe. On an $80K salary that's a $3,920/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,880 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Santa Fe are $650K vs $780K in Seattle. At a 20% down payment, that's a $26,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Santa Fe utilities run $10 more per month than Seattle. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Seattle, WA
Seattle's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Santa Fe
High desert with mild to warm summers (75°F average), cold winters (30°F average, 30 inches snow), intense sun, and low humidity (35%). Elevation 7,000 feet.
Seattle
Mild and overcast Oct–May with frequent drizzle (rarely below 35°F); warm sunny summers rarely above 90°F — September and October are the best months
Job Market
Santa Fe top industries
Seattle top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Santa Fe if…
- →You're a Artists and creative professionals
- →You're a Retirees with substantial savings
- →You're a Remote workers seeking inspiration
- →You're a Wellness and spirituality seekers
- →You want to live without a car
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Seattle if…
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a high earners
- →You're a coffee aficionados
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You want to live without a car
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Santa Fe or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Santa Fe is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,890 in Santa Fe vs $2,660 in Seattle — a $770/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Santa Fe or Seattle?
Seattle is more walkable with a Walk Score of 74/100 vs 73/100. Santa Fe is more car-dependent.
Santa Fe vs Seattle: which has lower state income tax?
Seattle has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,920/year vs Santa Fe (4.9%).
Is Santa Fe or Seattle better for buying a home?
Santa Fe has lower median home prices at $650K vs $780K in Seattle — a $130,000 difference on the median home.