D
26%
Overall NAT. AVG.
17%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
53%
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 Elk Plain Washington National
Cost of living126118100
Goods & Services117111100
Groceries113110100
Health care125120100
Housing153135100
Transportation124123100
Utilities9592100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Elk Plain, WA

Knowing the cost of living in Elk Plain 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 Elk Plain stands at 126, marking it 26% higher than the national average.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Elk Plain 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, Elk Plain falls within this bracket.

When it comes to the cost of living in Elk Plain, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 53.2% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, 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 Elk Plain, 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, Elk Plain is no exception, where grocery prices are 13.1% above the national average.

Is Elk Plain Affordable?

Is Elk Plain 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 Elk Plain is 49.6% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 61.5% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Elk Plain has a median household income of $77,116, which is 39.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Elk Plain?

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Elk Plain, is 53.2% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Elk Plain, the transportation index is 24.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Elk Plain cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Elk Plain is 7% higher than the Washington average
  • The cost of living in Elk Plain is 26% higher than the national average
  • Elk Plain housing is 53% 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 Elk Plain

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Compare Elk Plain, 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$86,510$7,209$2,018$2,596
      Renters$47,813$3,984$1,116$1,435
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Elk Plain, WA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Elk Plain have a median income of $86,510. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,018 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $47,813, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,116.

      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 Elk Plain 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 Elk Plain 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 Elk Plain 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 Elk Plain National avg. Difference
      Home Price $276,400.00$184,700.0049.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,051.24$2,346.6930.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,533.00$949.0061.5%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Elk Plain 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.
      Ketron Island, WA011514.6%
      La Grande, WA8811514.6%
      North Yelm, WA3,7381098.8%
      North Puyallup, WA1,97011515.1%
      Midland, WA9,51811817.9%
      Elk Plain, WA15,19212626.2%

      Cities with similar population

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      Rosemère, QC15,188n/a 
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      Rutland, VT15,2071011.0%
      Northview, MI15,209963.7%
      Front Royal, VA15,2141099.2%
      Elk Plain, WA15,19212626.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.