Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Seattle?

Annapolis, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,820 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Seattle?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Seattle?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $2,030 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Annapolis, MD is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 15% higher in Seattle, WA. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$1,638

+32% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,858

+16% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$2,359

+27% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$2,918

+31% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$912,100

+79% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$121,984

+17% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$72,610

+23% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

35.5 yr

+5.4 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

44.2%

+15.6 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

67.5%

+13.8 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

28.7 min

26.6 min

+2.1 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

788.6

+2% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

5,108.8

+142% in Seattle, WA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

53.5°F

+3.6°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

37.7 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.31/gal

+38% in Seattle, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs King County Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.9

+31% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$20.41

+8% in Seattle, WA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Seattle, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Seattle, WA

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Seattle?: Annapolis, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,820 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Seattle?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).