| Index | Kelso | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 106 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 110 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 99 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 112 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 111 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 109 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 104 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 112 | 117 | 100 |
The cost of living in Kelso 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 Kelso is 106, which is 6% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
In Kelso, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Kelso will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Wondering if Kelso is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Kelso, for example, the median home price is 1.3% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 5.7% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Kelso boasting a median household income of $72,011, which is 11.5% lower 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 Kelso, the transportation index stands at 12.3% 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 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 Kelso starts at 6.5% and the income tax rates start at 0%.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Kelso, the utilities index is 10.9% higher than the national average.
The Kelso 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 | $91,498 | $7,625 | $2,135 | $2,745 |
| Renters | $55,204 | $4,600 | $1,288 | $1,656 |
| 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. |
| Deer Island, OR | 108 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Castle Rock, WA | 3,018 | 105 | 4.7% |
| West Side Highway, WA | 5,860 | 105 | 5.1% |
| Longview, WA | 38,884 | 108 | 8.3% |
| Rainier, OR | 2,152 | 109 | 9.4% |
| Kelso, WA | 12,512 | 106 | 5.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| View Royal, BC | 12,511 | n/a | |
| Festus, MO | 12,514 | 92 | 7.7% |
| Escanaba, MI | 12,509 | 84 | 16.5% |
| Holiday City-Berkeley, NJ | 12,508 | 112 | 12.2% |
| Overlea, MD | 12,505 | 111 | 11.0% |
| Kelso, WA | 12,512 | 106 | 5.8% |
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