Rating 5.0 (2, 260) · While the cost of living in Washington State is higher than in most other regions, it is often cited as one of the highest lows. Living in Washington is more expensive than it is on average in the United States. According to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, goods and services in the state cost 7.8% more than on average across the country. Compared to all other states, Washington has the seventh-highest overall cost of living.
In general, living in dense, urban metropolitan areas is more expensive than living in more rural areas. Washington is home to 11 metropolitan areas. The most expensive in the state is the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area, where the cost of goods and services is 12.9% higher than the national average and 5.1% higher than the state average. Statewide, 37.3% of occupied housing is rented, more than the 36.2% national average and the tenth highest renter rate in any state.
Food is another daily expense that has a significant impact on an area's overall cost of living. Department of Agriculture shows cost of food varies from state to state. Please note that monetary figures are rounded to the nearest dollar, and the calculated differences may not always match perfectly with the nearest dollar. The cost of living in Washington is 13% higher than the national average.
Housing is 20% higher than the national average, while utilities are 9% lower. When it comes to basic necessities, such as food and clothing, food is about 11% higher than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs 11% more. In Washington, the cost of living is 11.6% higher than on average across the country, according to the Composite Cost of Living Index published by the Missouri Center for Economic Research and Information. Keep in mind that Washington cities are allowed to impose a 4% sales tax, and that increases the combined tax averages.
Washington State also sets guidelines for salaried workers or people earning a fixed income regardless of the number of hours they work. Leaving behind the big city of Seattle, let's take a look at what the rest of Washington State has to offer. Overall, Washington is not known as a particularly religious state, with only 35% of people claiming to be religious in the most recent census. Whether you're an avid hiker or looking for a fun way to spend a weekend, Washington offers residents close proximity to several incredible national and state parks.
Before settling in Seattle, visit some of these lowest cost of living cities in Washington State to see if they offer the same experiences you want at a more affordable price. If you are concerned about the cost of living in Washington State but still want to move to the area, work with a real estate agent who knows the different neighborhoods and affordable towns. Owning a home in Washington State can be overwhelming, but location is everything when it comes to housing costs. The transportation cost index in Washington State is 113.6, meaning that the state's transportation costs are nearly 14% more expensive than the national average.
If you love outdoor activities and aspire to make a name for yourself in the tech space (or at least build a solid career), Washington is a pretty obvious choice. Also, traffic in Seattle can be difficult, but if you can live close to where you work, it's not a problem. Renting is the perfect option for Washington residents who don't want to pay high housing costs. There are also other legendary businesses such as Amazon, Expedia and Zillow that call Washington State home.
Public transportation is available throughout Washington State, but accessibility varies by location. .
