| Index | Lake Stevens | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 137 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 200 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 111 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 112 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 106 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 115 | 117 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens is 137, which is 37% 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're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Lake Stevens 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, Lake Stevens falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Lake Stevens cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 100.5% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 10 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Lake Stevens. The feedback revealed that 30% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 70% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Lake Stevens an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Lake Stevens, the median home price is 111.5% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 74.9% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Lake Stevens come in at $138,957, which is 70.8% higher than the national average.
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 Lake Stevens, is 100.5% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Lake Stevens, the utilities index stands at 11.8% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Lake Stevens, healthcare costs are 9.2% higher than the national average.
The Lake Stevens cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $151,289 | $12,607 | $3,530 | $4,539 |
| Renters | $91,653 | $7,638 | $2,138 | $2,750 |
| 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. |
| Hat Island, WA | 62 | 109 | 9.1% |
| Silvana, WA | 14 | 109 | 9.1% |
| Canyon Creek, WA | 3,311 | 120 | 20.4% |
| Sultan, WA | 5,505 | 122 | 21.8% |
| Granite Falls, WA | 4,052 | 123 | 23.4% |
| Lake Stevens, WA | 34,189 | 137 | 36.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Leduc, AB | 34,166 | n/a | |
| Stratford, ON | 34,224 | n/a | |
| Prairieville, LA | 34,153 | 108 | 8.3% |
| Foster City, CA | 34,247 | 276 | 175.9% |
| Baldwin, NY | 34,096 | 145 | 44.6% |
| Lake Stevens, WA | 34,189 | 137 | 36.7% |
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