Cost of Living in Washington
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 631 cities in WA. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in Washington is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in Washington, with comparisons to national averages.
Washington's average home value of $422,543 is 73% above the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $83,025, and average monthly rent is $1,082.
Most Affordable Cities in Washington
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangor Base | $0 | $2,314/mo | $84,485 | 5,931 |
| 2 | Fort Lewis | $0 | $2,240/mo | $54,902 | 13,983 |
| 3 | North Fort Lewis | $0 | $2,375/mo | $72,778 | 5,990 |
| 4 | Union Gap | $186,200 | $1,111/mo | $58,958 | 6,511 |
| 5 | Hoquiam | $196,400 | $1,011/mo | $51,754 | 8,792 |
| 6 | Sunnyside | $207,200 | $1,065/mo | $53,350 | 16,329 |
| 7 | Toppenish | $214,200 | $977/mo | $67,766 | 8,746 |
| 8 | Clarkston | $216,900 | $877/mo | $53,092 | 7,240 |
| 9 | Aberdeen | $225,100 | $1,024/mo | $52,181 | 17,040 |
| 10 | Grandview | $232,500 | $1,058/mo | $59,875 | 11,042 |
| 11 | Ephrata | $240,000 | $993/mo | $70,321 | 8,493 |
| 12 | Connell | $247,300 | $1,138/mo | $63,810 | 5,080 |
| 13 | West Clarkston-Highland | $253,200 | $1,123/mo | $52,406 | 5,678 |
| 14 | Centralia | $267,600 | $1,003/mo | $52,387 | 18,457 |
| 15 | Prosser | $269,300 | $894/mo | $66,406 | 6,213 |
Most Expensive Cities in Washington
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercer Island | $1,884,200 | $2,464/mo | $202,359 | 25,282 |
| 2 | Sammamish | $1,240,300 | $2,728/mo | $227,273 | 66,375 |
| 3 | Bellevue | $1,203,100 | $2,505/mo | $161,300 | 151,199 |
| 4 | Union Hill-Novelty Hill | $1,174,100 | $2,597/mo | $181,820 | 23,272 |
| 5 | Cottage Lake | $1,164,000 | $2,374/mo | $197,331 | 23,170 |
| 6 | Newcastle | $1,128,200 | $2,314/mo | $162,646 | 12,945 |
| 7 | Redmond | $1,091,700 | $2,343/mo | $162,099 | 75,721 |
| 8 | Bainbridge Island | $1,076,200 | $2,081/mo | $159,882 | 24,607 |
| 9 | Bothell East | $1,047,300 | $2,181/mo | $189,519 | 14,487 |
| 10 | Woodinville | $1,032,900 | $2,352/mo | $158,723 | 13,440 |
Highest Income Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sammamish | $227,273 | $1,240,300 | 66,375 |
| 2 | Mercer Island | $202,359 | $1,884,200 | 25,282 |
| 3 | Snoqualmie | $197,531 | $919,300 | 13,750 |
| 4 | Cottage Lake | $197,331 | $1,164,000 | 23,170 |
| 5 | Bothell East | $189,519 | $1,047,300 | 14,487 |
| 6 | Mill Creek East | $183,466 | $840,100 | 25,461 |
| 7 | Union Hill-Novelty Hill | $181,820 | $1,174,100 | 23,272 |
| 8 | North Bend | $180,663 | $933,700 | 7,745 |
| 9 | Maltby | $179,276 | $914,800 | 10,859 |
| 10 | Duvall | $178,821 | $758,100 | 8,279 |
Cost of Living FAQ — Washington
What is the average cost of living in Washington?
The average median home value across Washington cities is $422,543, with average rent of $1,082/month. The average median household income is $83,025.
What are the cheapest cities in Washington?
The most affordable cities in Washington by home value include Bangor Base ($0), Fort Lewis ($0), North Fort Lewis ($0).
What is the most expensive city in Washington?
The most expensive city in Washington is Mercer Island with a median home value of $1,884,200.
How does Washington compare to the national average?
Washington's average home value of $422,543 is above the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $1,082/month is below the US average of $1,163.