| Index | Bothell | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 162 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 108 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 288 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 111 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 106 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 118 | 117 | 100 |

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Bothell is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Bothell is 162, which is 62% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The cost of living in Bothell is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Bothell falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Bothell cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 187.8% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 11 residents in Bothell to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 18% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 82% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Bothell an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Bothell is 229.7% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 90% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Bothell has a median household income of $157,898, which is 94.1% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Bothell, healthcare costs are 8.4% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Bothell starts at 6.5% and the income tax rates start at 0%.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Bothell, the groceries index registers 4.7% higher than the national average.
The Bothell cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $198,920 | $16,577 | $4,641 | $5,968 |
| Renters | $104,894 | $8,741 | $2,447 | $3,147 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Washington | 6.5% | 10.4% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Washington | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Indianola, WA | 3,678 | 129 | 28.9% |
| Snohomish, WA | 10,507 | 133 | 32.8% |
| Everett, WA | 114,503 | 133 | 33.2% |
| Kingston, WA | 2,919 | 133 | 33.1% |
| Monroe, WA | 20,065 | 137 | 37.2% |
| Bothell, WA | 47,762 | 162 | 62.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Four Corners, FL | 47,768 | 110 | 9.6% |
| Cornwall, ON | 47,736 | n/a | |
| Littleton, CO | 47,719 | 137 | 37.3% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 47,823 | 87 | 13.5% |
| Salina, KS | 47,832 | 90 | 10.2% |
| Bothell, WA | 47,762 | 162 | 62.3% |