F
33%
Overall NAT. AVG.
17%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
76%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Puyallup Washington National
Cost of living133118100
Goods & Services117111100
Groceries113110100
Health care125120100
Housing176135100
Transportation124123100
Utilities9592100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Puyallup, WA

Understanding the cost of living in Puyallup can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Puyallup cost of living index is 133, which is 33% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Puyallup may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Puyallup falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Puyallup, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 76.4% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Puyallup, these items will cost you 17.1% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Puyallup is no exception, where grocery prices are 13.1% above the national average.

Is Puyallup Affordable?

Is Puyallup affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Puyallup, the median home price is 91% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 42.5% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Puyallup boasting a median household income of $76,565, 38.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Puyallup?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Puyallup, the housing index comes in at 76.4% higher than the national average.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Puyallup, the transportation index is 24.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Puyallup displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Puyallup is 13% higher than the Washington average
  • The cost of living in Puyallup is 33% higher than the national average
  • Puyallup housing is 76% higher than the national average
  • Washington general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Washington state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Puyallup

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Compare Puyallup, WA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$109,579$9,132$2,557$3,288
      Renters$57,763$4,814$1,348$1,733
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Puyallup, WA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Puyallup homeowners, is $109,579. This would allow for a maximum of $2,557 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $57,763 which would result in a maximum of $1,348 to be spent on rental costs.

      Washington Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Washington 6.5% 10.4%

      Washington Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Washington 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Puyallup National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.76$24.262.1%
      Beauty Salon $54.27$45.5619.1%
      Toothpaste $4.15$3.7012.1%
      Shampoo $1.38$1.287.6%
      Movie $11.92$12.131.8%
      Bowling $21.09$18.0017.2%

      Groceries

      Item Puyallup National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.71$5.842.2%
      Fried Chicken $2.55$1.5762.3%
      Milk $5.14$4.6710.0%
      Potatoes $3.87$4.9321.6%
      Pizza $15.13$12.0925.2%
      Beer $11.74$10.4112.8%

      Health Care

      Item Puyallup National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $191.81$125.6852.6%
      Doctor $192.99$135.7842.1%
      Dentist $127.12$113.2912.2%
      Ibuprofen $11.85$10.6511.2%
      Lipitor $555.70$468.6018.6%

      Housing

      Item Puyallup National avg. Difference
      Home Price $352,800.00$184,700.0091.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,051.24$2,346.6930.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,352.00$949.0042.5%

      Transportation

      Item Puyallup National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.20$3.4621.3%
      Tire Balancing $78.74$59.9231.4%

      Utilities

      Item Puyallup National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $169.30$193.9912.7%
      Phone $204.78$192.256.5%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      North Puyallup, WA1,97011515.1%
      Midland, WA9,51811817.9%
      Parkland, WA37,94612120.6%
      Roy, WA81412019.5%
      South Prairie, WA29712120.8%
      Puyallup, WA41,66613333.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Huntsville, TX41,664946.1%
      Oakley, CA41,65615050.2%
      Westfield, IN41,65211211.5%
      La Quinta, CA41,65013939.2%
      Mableton, GA41,6471043.7%
      Puyallup, WA41,66613333.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.