doxoINSIGHTS » Cost of Living in Washington: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024

Cost of Living in Washington: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024

Washington

What is the cost of living in Washington? doxo breaks down key insights about Washington’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state. 

According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in Washington pays $2,644 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.

The data sheds light on Washington’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month. 

By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.

Washington ranks as the 6th most expensive state in the US for household bills

According to doxo’s COBI report, Washington is ranked as the 6th most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses. 

At $31,725 per year, Washington’s household expenses, on average, are 24% higher than the US average of $25,513. 

Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Washington households spend 33% of their income on bills. 

COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for Washington is 124.

  • Average Bill Cost per Household: $2,644 per month
  • Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 124
  • doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #6
  • Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 33%
  • Compared to the National Average: 24% higher

Washington Household Expenses are 24% Higher Than the National Average

The average Washington household pays $2,644 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills. 

On the lowest end of the spectrum, the average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Washington is $89, compared to the national average of $85, making it 5% higher than average.

Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Washington residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $1,599, compared to the national average of $2,020, making it 44% more expensive. 

Average Washington Household Bill Spending

Bill CategoryAverage Washington Monthly BillNational Average Monthly BillWashington Percent +/- National Average 
Mortgage$2,020$1,40244% higher
Rent$1,620$1,30025% higher
Auto Loan$524$4966% higher
Utilities$409$36213% higher
Auto Insurance$224$2097% higher
Health Insurance$127$11411% higher
Mobile Phone$134$12111% higher
Cable & Internet$139$12214% higher
Life Insurance$92$876% higher
Alarm & Security$89$855% higher
Total$2,644$2,12624% higher
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Sammamish has the highest cost of living in Washington for household bills

Residents of Sammamish pay the highest household bills in the state of Washington, at an average of $4,035 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Sammamish is 190, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 90% higher than the national average.

In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Sammamish makeup 21% of the average annual household income of $231,437. 

Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.

10 Most Expensive Washington Cities for Household Bills

RankCityAverage IncomeMonthly Bill Expenses Per HouseholdCost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard% +/- Than the National AveragePercent of Household Income Used for Bills 
1Sammamish$231,437$4,03519090% higher21%
2Snoqualmie$175,750$4,00918989% higher27%
3Woodinville$161,742$3,67817373% higher27%
4Redmond$161,257$3,61017070% higher27%
5Bothell$139,917$3,59316969% higher31%
6Issaquah$148,722$3,56016767% higher29%
7Kirkland$139,625$3,55616767% higher31%
8Maple Valley$135,304$3,55016767% higher31%
9Mercer Island$190,985$3,51516565% higher22%
10Bellevue$156,868$3,39816060% higher26%
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Colville has the lowest cost of living in Washington for household bills

Out of 104 cities, Colville is the most affordable place in Washington, with residents paying $1,595 on average for household bills, accounting for 33% of annual income of $58,350. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Colville is 75, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 25% below the national average. 

Aberdeen is the second most affordable city in Washington, with residents paying $1,743 per month on average.

Also on the list of the 10 least expensive cities in Washington are Port Townsend ($1,756), Othello ($1,767) and Hoquiam ($1,819).

10 Most Affordable Washington Cities for Household Bills

RankCityAverage IncomeMonthly Bill Expense Per HouseholdCost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard% +/- Than the National AveragePercent of Household Income Used for Bills
95Clarkston$60,657$1,8828911% lower37%
96Ocean Shores$54,390$1,8818812% lower42%
97Deer Park$64,528$1,8768812% lower35%
98Sunnyside$57,928$1,8568713% lower38%
99Quincy$75,753$1,8548713% lower29%
100Hoquiam$53,383$1,8198614% lower41%
101Othello$62,817$1,7678317% lower34%
102Port Townsend$61,924$1,7568317% lower34%
103Aberdeen$56,600$1,7438218% lower37%
104Colville$58,350$1,5957525% lower33%
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in Washington with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.