| Index | Auburn | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 131 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 180 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 112 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 114 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 108 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 114 | 117 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Auburn allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Auburn stands at 131, marking it 31% higher than the national average.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Auburn may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Auburn falls within this bracket.
Housing costs significantly influence the Auburn cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 80.4%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 5 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Auburn and this is how they responded. 60% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 40% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Auburn 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 Auburn is 97.7% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 39.9% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Auburn has a median household income of $114,418, which is 40.7% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Auburn, the transportation index stands at 12.1% higher than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Auburn, the housing index stands at 80.4% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
The Auburn cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional 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 | $145,963 | $12,164 | $3,406 | $4,379 |
| Renters | $82,546 | $6,879 | $1,926 | $2,477 |
| 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. |
| Fairwood CDP (Spokane County), WA | 8,331 | 113 | 13.4% |
| North Puyallup, WA | 2,029 | 111 | 11.1% |
| Midland, WA | 9,862 | 116 | 15.7% |
| Parkland, WA | 39,227 | 117 | 17.4% |
| South Prairie, WA | 309 | 120 | 20.3% |
| Auburn, WA | 83,617 | 131 | 31.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lynchburg, VA | 83,703 | 100 | 0.2% |
| Franklin, TN | 83,480 | 132 | 32.3% |
| San Ramon, CA | 83,423 | 220 | 120.1% |
| Brooklyn Park, MN | 83,324 | 107 | 7.3% |
| Silver Spring, MD | 83,266 | 154 | 53.9% |
| Auburn, WA | 83,617 | 131 | 31.2% |
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