| Index | Graham | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 130 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 107 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 181 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 107 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 112 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 112 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 111 | 117 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Graham? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Graham stands at 130, making it 30% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Graham 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, Graham 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 Graham, 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 81% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Is Graham 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 Graham, the median home price is 83.3% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 75.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Graham boasting a median household income of $136,309, 67.6% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Graham, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.5%, and income tax rates start at 0%.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Graham, the groceries index is 5.3% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Graham are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $140,746 | $11,729 | $3,284 | $4,223 |
| Renters | $93,881 | $7,823 | $2,190 | $2,817 |
| 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. |
| La Grande, WA | 92 | 108 | 8.0% |
| North Puyallup, WA | 2,029 | 111 | 11.1% |
| Midland, WA | 9,862 | 116 | 15.7% |
| Clear Lake CDP (Pierce County), WA | 976 | 114 | 14.5% |
| Parkland, WA | 39,227 | 117 | 17.4% |
| Graham, WA | 33,304 | 130 | 29.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Jackson, MI | 33,318 | 83 | 16.9% |
| Uniondale, NY | 33,340 | 140 | 40.1% |
| Gillette, WY | 33,262 | 103 | 2.9% |
| Statesboro, GA | 33,360 | 90 | 9.5% |
| Westlake, OH | 33,231 | 110 | 9.5% |
| Graham, WA | 33,304 | 130 | 29.9% |
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