Cost of Living in Washington
Washington has 51 cities with cost-of-living data on CompareLiving, drawn from US Census, BEA, HUD, and EPA sources. Prices range from Des Moines (cost index 92.1) to Bellevue (114.0), with a statewide average around 102.1 versus the US baseline of 100. Median rent is lowest in Pullman at $1,010/mo and highest in Mill Creek East at $3,013/mo.
Washington at a Glance
Cities Tracked
51
with census data
Avg Cost Index
102.1
US avg = 100
Avg Median Rent
$1,749
per month
Avg Household Income
$100,796
annual median
Most & Least Affordable Cities
Most Affordable
| City | Cost Index | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 92.1 | $1,727 |
| Spokane | 92.5 | $1,141 |
| Spokane Valley | 92.5 | $1,247 |
| Kent | 94.1 | $1,833 |
| Vancouver | 103.6 | $1,632 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100)
Taxes in Washington
State Income Tax
None
No state income tax on wages
State Sales Tax
6.50%
Statewide base rate · local add-ons may apply
Popular Cities in Washington
Washington Cities — Full Table
Click columns to sort
| Seattle | 741,440 | 114.0 | $1,998 | $912,100 | $121,984 |
| Spokane | 229,228 | 92.5 | $1,141 | $326,200 | $65,745 |
| Tacoma | 220,482 | 114.0 | $1,597 | $454,600 | $83,857 |
| Vancouver | 192,696 | 103.6 | $1,632 | $440,300 | $78,156 |
| Bellevue | 151,199 | 114.0 | $2,505 | $1,203,100 | $161,300 |
| Kent | 135,015 | 94.1 | $1,833 | $537,500 | $90,416 |
| Everett | 111,083 | — | $1,675 | $532,300 | $81,502 |
| Spokane Valley | 105,460 | 92.5 | $1,247 | $344,300 | $70,722 |
| Renton | 105,279 | — | $1,923 | $631,400 | $96,626 |
| Federal Way | 99,232 | — | $1,738 | $499,600 | $82,144 |
| Yakima | 96,810 | — | $1,075 | $273,400 | $59,228 |
| Bellingham | 92,367 | — | $1,478 | $577,400 | $65,821 |
| Kirkland | 91,614 | — | $2,342 | $1,022,500 | $143,533 |
| Auburn | 85,455 | — | $1,713 | $510,400 | $95,367 |
| Kennewick | 84,389 | — | $1,199 | $343,600 | $72,867 |
| Pasco | 78,446 | — | $1,201 | $344,700 | $81,130 |
| Redmond | 75,721 | — | $2,343 | $1,091,700 | $162,099 |
| Marysville | 71,570 | — | $1,863 | $521,500 | $100,362 |
| South Hill | 68,161 | — | $1,916 | $493,800 | $109,235 |
| Sammamish | 66,375 | — | $2,728 | $1,240,300 | $227,273 |
| Lakewood | 63,034 | — | $1,460 | $420,500 | $70,524 |
| Richland | 61,912 | — | $1,397 | $401,800 | $92,550 |
| Shoreline | 59,280 | — | $1,938 | $759,400 | $113,336 |
| Lacey | 57,088 | — | $1,805 | $427,900 | $87,277 |
| Olympia | 55,583 | — | $1,509 | $457,900 | $76,930 |
| Burien | 51,331 | — | $1,742 | $609,300 | $90,597 |
| Bothell | 48,610 | — | $2,295 | $871,300 | $132,232 |
| Bremerton | 44,531 | — | $1,535 | $409,500 | $74,399 |
| Edmonds | 42,783 | — | $1,850 | $840,200 | $116,095 |
| Puyallup | 42,642 | — | $1,750 | $507,000 | $95,639 |
| Lynnwood | 40,953 | — | $1,675 | $635,800 | $76,439 |
| Lake Stevens | 39,500 | — | $2,189 | $593,900 | $118,290 |
| Issaquah | 39,472 | — | $2,484 | $934,100 | $153,786 |
| Parkland | 39,174 | — | $1,593 | $382,700 | $71,829 |
| Longview | 37,836 | — | $1,119 | $339,000 | $60,844 |
| Wenatchee | 35,502 | — | $1,194 | $391,200 | $70,000 |
| Mount Vernon | 35,312 | — | $1,255 | $429,300 | $73,277 |
| Graham | 35,090 | — | $2,172 | $472,800 | $115,501 |
| University Place | 34,850 | — | $1,664 | $578,100 | $94,952 |
| Spanaway | 34,322 | — | $1,782 | $401,000 | $94,028 |
| Walla Walla | 33,766 | — | $1,176 | $356,600 | $65,493 |
| Des Moines | 32,545 | 92.1 | $1,727 | $539,800 | $89,787 |
| Pullman | 31,939 | — | $1,010 | $401,700 | $45,097 |
| SeaTac | 31,143 | — | $1,637 | $483,200 | $76,517 |
| Orchards | 29,716 | — | $1,685 | $437,100 | $96,893 |
| Maple Valley | 28,121 | — | $2,189 | $672,000 | $147,546 |
| Camas | 26,779 | — | $1,900 | $656,100 | $140,053 |
| Tumwater | 26,519 | — | $1,654 | $438,000 | $93,635 |
| Moses Lake | 25,594 | — | $1,203 | $278,100 | $71,854 |
| Mill Creek East | 25,461 | — | $3,013 | $840,100 | $183,466 |
| Mercer Island | 25,282 | — | $2,464 | $1,884,200 | $202,359 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100) · Income & Rent = US Census ACS
Moving Guides Involving Washington
Compare Washington cities head-to-head
Use our comparison tool to put any two cities side by side. Or explore national rankings to see how Washington cities stack up across the US. For example, Seattle vs Spokane.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Living in Washington
What is the cost of living in Washington?
The average cost of living index across cities in Washington is approximately 102.1 (US average = 100), which is slightly above the US average. Median gross rent averages around $1,749/month and median household income averages around $100,796/year.
What are the cheapest cities to live in Washington?
The most affordable cities in Washington by cost of living index are: 1. Des Moines (index 92.1), 2. Spokane (index 92.5), 3. Spokane Valley (index 92.5).
What is the median rent in Washington?
The average median gross rent across cities in Washington is approximately $1,749/month. Rent varies significantly by city and neighborhood — use the city profiles below for specific figures.
What are the income tax rates in Washington?
Washington has no state income tax on wages, making it one of the tax-friendly states for workers. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
What is the sales tax in Washington?
Washington's statewide sales tax rate is 6.50%. Local city and county rates may add to this. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
Is it expensive to move to Washington?
Washington has a cost of living index of approximately 102.1 and average median rent around $1,749/month. It is somewhat above the US average in cost, so factor that into your relocation budget. Use our moving guides for salary equivalence calculations.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, Tax Foundation · Methodology