| Index | Enumclaw | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 127 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 167 | 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 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Enumclaw 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 Enumclaw is 127, which is 27% 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.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Enumclaw may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Enumclaw falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Enumclaw cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 66.6% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 5 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Enumclaw. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 20% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 80% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Enumclaw affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Enumclaw, for instance, where the median home price falls 84.8% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 24.1% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Enumclaw flaunting a median household income of $115,564, 42.1% higher than the national norm.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Enumclaw, the utilities index registers at 13.7% 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 Enumclaw starts at 6.5% and the income tax rates start at 0%.
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 Enumclaw, the transportation index is 12.1% higher than the national average.
The Enumclaw 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 | $151,038 | $12,587 | $3,524 | $4,532 |
| Renters | $76,941 | $6,412 | $1,795 | $2,308 |
| 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. |
| North Puyallup, WA | 2,029 | 111 | 11.1% |
| Carbonado, WA | 698 | 117 | 17.4% |
| South Prairie, WA | 309 | 120 | 20.3% |
| Crocker, WA | 1,363 | 122 | 22.4% |
| Algona, WA | 3,277 | 124 | 23.8% |
| Enumclaw, WA | 12,536 | 127 | 27.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| St. Andrews, MB | 12,535 | n/a | |
| James Island, SC | 12,534 | 125 | 25.4% |
| Fortuna, CA | 12,532 | 124 | 23.5% |
| Freeport, TX | 12,541 | 87 | 12.7% |
| Poquoson, VA | 12,541 | 127 | 26.9% |
| Enumclaw, WA | 12,536 | 127 | 27.1% |
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