How High Is the Cost of Living in Washington?
The cost of living in Washington is nearly 12% higher than the national average, although some cities are cheaper than others.
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The cost of living in Washington is notoriously high—a single adult needs at least $36,052 a year to cover all their basic expenses. To live comfortably, you’ll need more than double that.
- The cost of living in Washington is increasing at a rate of 12% to 20% every year.
- Housing and transportation are the two costliest categories.
- Washington is the cheapest state on the west coast, although its COLI is 111.6.
- Look to eastern Washington for towns with a cheaper cost of living.
- The cost of living in Washington is increasing at a rate of 12% to 20% every year.
- Housing and transportation are the two costliest categories.
- Washington is the cheapest state on the west coast, although its COLI is 111.6.
- Look to eastern Washington for towns with a cheaper cost of living.
MORE: Cheap homeowners insurance in Washington
How high is the cost of living in Washington?
Washington ranks as the 13th most expensive state to live in. The Cost of Living Index here is 111.6, according to the cost of living calculator.
Definition: An area’s COLI is a measurement that describes the area’s cost of living (COL) compared to the national average, with 100 being equal to the national average.
Washington’s Cost of Living Index (COLI) is 111.6, which means that life in Washington is 11.6% more expensive than the national average.
For context,
Hawaii
is the most expensive state to live in with an index rating of 193.3. Other west coast states, such as California
and Oregon
, have ratings of 142.2 and 130.1 (respectively). Good news: Washington is the cheapest state on the west coast for average cost of living.
Let’s take a closer look at specific living expenses, like groceries, healthcare, housing, etc. in the Evergreen State.
Food costs in Washington: $370 to $880 per month
Washington’s cost of living index for food is 108.4, which means groceries are going to be 8.4% more expensive there than in most other places.
According to the
United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), as of 2022, the national monthly average cost of food for a single individual is $342, meaning it’s about $370 in Washington. If you have a family of four, that jumps to $877. Keep in mind that these numbers are referring to the cost of groceries only—if you go out to a restaurant to eat, you’ll be spending a lot more!
Healthcare costs in Washington: $725 per month
Washington residents pay an average of about $8,700 annually per person, which breaks down to just over $725 a month. This is dramatically higher than the national average of $7,893 annually/$657 per month.
Of course, health insurance expenses are not as unilateral as food. Some individuals have no health expenses at all, while others will have to pay tens or even hundreds of thousands each year.
Housing costs in Washington: $1,168 to $2,500 per month
Washington’s housing market is notoriously expensive and competitive.
Buying: At $504,200, the median selling price for a house in the Evergreen State is 73% higher than the national average. Monthly, this means that homeowners here are paying a median mortgage rate of $1,951—and real estate is getting more expensive all the time!
Renting: 33.8% of Washington residents rent instead of own, and the prices aren’t much better.
Here’s a quick breakdown of rent prices as of 2022:
- Average rent for a studio: $1,168
- Average one-bedroom rent: $1,254
- Average two-bedroom rent: $1,519
- Average three-bedroom rent: $2,107
- Average four-bedroom rent: $2,500
Keep in mind that these are the statewide average—housing prices in major cities will be significantly higher while others will be more affordable.
Transportation costs in Washington: $408 to $1,109 per month
A single individual will have to pay about $408 each month just to get around as a commuter. If you have a family of four, that jumps to $1,109 per month.
This category includes things like:
- Public transportation passes(approx. $99 annually)
- Cost of car insurance in Washington(approx. $1,300 annually)
- Average annual car payments (approx. $5,856)
How much you need to live comfortably in Washington: $36,052 to $84,000 per year
By crunching the numbers above, you’ll find that a single individual will need to make an average salary of at least $32,052 after taxes to cover basic necessities in Washington.
In reality, you probably won’t get by on that amount. You’ll need at least another $4k-$5k for annual utility expenses, and dozens of other miscellaneous expenses crop up throughout the year (like childcare or date nights).
Here are a few common examples of additional costs:
- Average cost of a meal in a cheap restaurant: $15 to $20
- Average cost of a date: $195.00 (US average: $116)
- Average cost of a beer: $7 to 8 (US average: $4.65)
- Average cost of a coffee: $3.46 (US average: $2.70)
- Average sales tax: 6.5% (US average: 5.09%)
According to a survey published by
GoBankingRates.com
, a single individual will need to make between $66,960 and $87,300 to afford a comfortable standard of living in the Evergreen State. With a partner, that’s a reasonable median household income.Minimum hourly wage: $35-$45 an hour at a full-time job—which is well over double the state’s minimum wage of $14.49/hour.
MORE: Ultimate guide to moving to Seattle
The Washington cities with the lowest cost of living are in the eastern part of the state
If you decide to move to Washington, it’s a good idea to scout out a few different cities. The cost of living can vary a lot from one town to another.
Below, you’ll find some of the places in Washington with the lowest cost of living indexes:
- Pullman(COLI: 89.7): Tucked away in the southwestern corner of the state, Pullman is a surprising cosmology of a little oasis of red-brick buildings amidst a sea of evergreen trees—and it’s 10.3% cheaper to live in than the average U.S city!
- Spokane(COLI: 90.5): A good mixture of big-city amenities, small-town charm,minimal traffic, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures. It has avoided inflated cost of living because it is relatively far away from the ocean.
- Walla Walla(COLI: 93.7): Walla Walla is a great place to experience charming architecture and vibrant local culture—as well as stunning mountains, rivers, and more! Plus, it’s pretty affordable!
- Ephrata(COLI: 93.9): Ephrata is a small town in central Washington where the weather is nice, the locals are friendly, and the median home prices are less than a third of the statewide average.
- Pasco(COLI: 93.9): Unlike the rest of Washington, Pasco is pretty affordable. And, unlike most areas in the state, Pasco enjoys near-constant sunshine—perfect for enjoying its many hiking trails and the nearby Sacajawea Historical State Park.
The cost of living index for any city is a constantly fluctuating variable. If you’re looking for an affordable place to live in Washington, it’s a good idea to check the most recent numbers—but these five cities should be good options!
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FAQs
How much does it cost to live in Washington per month?
A single person in Washington needs at least $2,500 per month to get by with the bare essentials. To live comfortably, they’ll likely need $5,500 or more per month depending on what city they live in.
For instance, it’s cheaper to live in Seattle than Los Angeles—but Olympia may be cheaper than Seattle.
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