Washington Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 39 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$1,202/mo
Average Home Value
$397,674
Average Owner Cost
$1,269/mo
County cost atlas
Washington housing costs by county
Compare rent, entry-price context, owner costs, and cost score in one state view. Pin a county, switch layers, then open the full county profile when a place needs closer review.
Counties
39
Avg rent
$1,202/mo
Owner cost
$1,269/mo
Avg score
24.2
Higher means lower cost pressure
Atlas layers use U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Rent, owner cost, and home value are county medians. Cost score rewards lower rent and lower owner costs, but affordability still depends on income, household size, commute, debt, and personal finances. Use this as decision context, not personalized financial advice.
State Cost Summary
Use these state averages as a starting point, then scan the atlas and rankings for the county-level spread behind them.
Housing Costs in Washington: An Overview
The median rent in Washington is $1,202 per month, which is 3% above the national median of $1,163. That is useful statewide context, but rent burden still depends on local income, household size, commute, and the county a household chooses.
Within Washington, housing costs vary significantly by county. King County has the highest median rent in this dataset at $2,035 per month and a median home value of $811,200. Ferry County has the lowest reported median rent at $703 per month and a median home value of $274,500.
The average home value across Washington counties is $397,674, 41% higher than the national median of $281,900. Median household income is roughly $76,363, so home values should be read alongside local wages, financing costs, taxes, insurance, and supply.
Before comparing places in Washington, start with the county-level pattern. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties. Use the atlas, rankings, and county links below to compare rent, home values, owner costs, and rent burden before opening a specific county profile.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in Washington
How median rents are spread across 39 counties
Highest Median Rent Counties
Lowest Median Rent Counties
All Washington Counties
Sorted by median rent, highest first. A higher cost score means lower rent and owner cost pressure within the national scoring model.
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Cost Score | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | Expensive$2,035/mo | $811,200 | $2,514/mo | 0.9 | 28.0% |
| Snohomish County | Expensive$1,866/mo | $644,600 | $2,194/mo | 1.9 | 31.0% |
| Kitsap County | Expensive$1,741/mo | $505,700 | $1,802/mo | 3.7 | 31.0% |
| Pierce County | Expensive$1,722/mo | $484,400 | $1,957/mo | 3.1 | 31.0% |
| Clark County | Expensive$1,668/mo | $487,900 | $1,790/mo | 4.3 | 30.0% |
| Thurston County | Expensive$1,634/mo | $451,500 | $1,781/mo | 4.6 | 31.0% |
| Island County | Expensive$1,631/mo | $535,300 | $1,685/mo | 5.0 | 31.0% |
| Whatcom County | Moderate$1,465/mo | $536,100 | $1,669/mo | 6.4 | 34.0% |
| Skagit County | Moderate$1,439/mo | $486,200 | $1,630/mo | 7.1 | 31.0% |
| San Juan County | Moderate$1,413/mo | $726,500 | $1,499/mo | 8.7 | 27.0% |
| Jefferson County | Moderate$1,291/mo | $495,100 | $1,087/mo | 18.4 | 28.0% |
| Benton County | Moderate$1,256/mo | $369,400 | $1,348/mo | 12.9 | 29.0% |
| Kittitas County | Moderate$1,253/mo | $459,900 | $1,483/mo | 11.2 | 32.0% |
| Douglas County | Moderate$1,234/mo | $402,900 | $1,208/mo | 16.1 | 26.0% |
| Mason County | Moderate$1,205/mo | $377,400 | $1,330/mo | 14.2 | 27.0% |
| Spokane County | Moderate$1,200/mo | $370,500 | $1,363/mo | 13.9 | 30.0% |
| Chelan County | Moderate$1,182/mo | $454,900 | $1,224/mo | 16.6 | 26.0% |
| Franklin County | Moderate$1,171/mo | $345,700 | $1,417/mo | 13.7 | 28.0% |
| Cowlitz County | Moderate$1,169/mo | $367,400 | $1,396/mo | 14.1 | 29.0% |
| Klickitat County | Moderate$1,119/mo | $388,700 | $1,008/mo | 25.0 | 31.0% |
| Walla Walla County | Moderate$1,113/mo | $375,600 | $1,263/mo | 17.7 | 31.0% |
| Clallam County | Moderate$1,110/mo | $385,600 | $1,011/mo | 25.1 | 30.0% |
| Wahkiakum County | Moderate$1,086/mo | $344,500 | $682/mo | 46.9 | 40.0% |
| Yakima County | Moderate$1,068/mo | $281,100 | $1,101/mo | 23.2 | 27.0% |
| Grant County | Moderate$1,059/mo | $275,700 | $1,105/mo | 23.4 | 25.0% |
| Lewis County | Moderate$1,044/mo | $341,500 | $1,221/mo | 21.1 | 29.0% |
| Skamania County | Moderate$1,024/mo | $472,600 | $1,341/mo | 19.4 | 28.0% |
| Grays Harbor County | Moderate$1,018/mo | $279,500 | $1,061/mo | 26.5 | 28.0% |
| Whitman County | Moderate$1,002/mo | $323,300 | $1,114/mo | 25.3 | 39.0% |
| Asotin County | Affordable$994/mo | $286,200 | $841/mo | 39.1 | 28.0% |
| Pacific County | Affordable$962/mo | $274,000 | $843/mo | 40.9 | 29.0% |
| Columbia County | Affordable$944/mo | $256,100 | $928/mo | 36.5 | 25.0% |
| Adams County | Affordable$901/mo | $251,300 | $841/mo | 45.3 | 29.0% |
| Lincoln County | Affordable$872/mo | $272,300 | $773/mo | 52.3 | 21.0% |
| Okanogan County | Affordable$868/mo | $284,200 | $838/mo | 48.3 | 22.0% |
| Stevens County | Affordable$864/mo | $308,000 | $904/mo | 44.3 | 27.0% |
| Pend Oreille County | Affordable$786/mo | $307,800 | $833/mo | 58.5 | 24.0% |
| Garfield County | Affordable$768/mo | $214,200 | $698/mo | 70.3 | 30.0% |
| Ferry County | Affordable$703/mo | $274,500 | $695/mo | 77.7 | 23.0% |
Compare Washington to Other States
See how Washington counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About Washington Housing Costs
What is the most affordable county in Washington?
What is the most expensive county to live in Washington?
How does Washington's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the average home value in Washington?
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.