F
40%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
112%
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 Camas Washington National
Cost of living140118100
Goods & Services106111100
Groceries111110100
Health care110120100
Housing212135100
Transportation126123100
Utilities9692100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Camas, WA

The cost of living in Camas affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Camas is 140, which is 40% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Camas 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, Camas falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Camas, 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 112% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

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, Camas is no exception, where grocery prices are 10.5% above the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Camas?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 5 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Camas. The feedback revealed that 0% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 100% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Camas Affordable?

Is Camas 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 Camas is 148% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 27.9% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Camas has a median household income of $115,993, which is 109.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Camas?

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Camas comes in at 3.8% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Camas, the transportation index is 26.3% 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 goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Camas starts at 6.5% and the income tax rates start at 0%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Camas, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Camas is 18% higher than the Washington average
  • The cost of living in Camas is 40% higher than the national average
  • Camas housing is 112% 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 Camas

See all the best places to live around Camas

Compare Camas, WA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      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$132,848$11,071$3,100$3,986
      Renters$54,915$4,576$1,281$1,648
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Camas is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Camas has a median income of about $132,848 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $3,100 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $54,915. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,281 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Camas National avg. Difference
      Haircut $41.22$24.2669.9%
      Beauty Salon $60.58$45.5633.0%
      Toothpaste $3.63$3.702.0%
      Shampoo $1.53$1.2819.5%
      Movie $12.98$12.136.9%
      Bowling $18.31$18.001.7%

      Groceries

      Item Camas National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.17$5.845.7%
      Fried Chicken $2.03$1.5728.8%
      Milk $5.04$4.677.9%
      Potatoes $4.39$4.9311.1%
      Pizza $12.21$12.091.0%
      Beer $12.07$10.4115.9%

      Health Care

      Item Camas National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $131.94$125.685.0%
      Doctor $188.49$135.7838.8%
      Dentist $115.08$113.291.6%
      Ibuprofen $11.58$10.658.7%
      Lipitor $386.53$468.6017.5%

      Housing

      Item Camas National avg. Difference
      Home Price $458,000.00$184,700.00148.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,332.86$2,346.6942.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,214.00$949.0027.9%

      Transportation

      Item Camas National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.16$3.4620.3%
      Tire Balancing $84.45$59.9240.9%

      Utilities

      Item Camas National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $182.73$193.995.8%
      Phone $190.36$192.251.0%
      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.
      Johnson City, OR5398514.6%
      Wood Village, OR4,0691099.0%
      Walnut Grove, WA9,32411313.0%
      Fairview, OR9,38212322.7%
      Hazel Dell, WA21,83012323.3%
      Camas, WA24,04314039.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Waverly, MI24,050946.0%
      Wekiwa Springs, FL24,00811919.3%
      North Lynnwood, WA24,08414342.6%
      Brandon, MS24,088973.2%
      Dix Hills, NY23,99518888.1%
      Camas, WA24,04314039.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.