| Index | Moses Lake | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 107 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 108 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 101 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 111 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 110 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 108 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 116 | 117 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Moses Lake? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Moses Lake stands at 107, making it 7% 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.
The cost of living in Moses Lake aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Moses Lake residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 12 residents in Moses Lake to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 33% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 67% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake, the median home price is 2.2% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 0.6% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Moses Lake come in at $88,490, which is 8.8% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Moses Lake, the housing index is 1.3% 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 Moses Lake starts at 6.5% and the income tax rates start at 0%.
The cost of living data for Moses Lake shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $111,316 | $9,276 | $2,597 | $3,340 |
| Renters | $56,138 | $4,678 | $1,310 | $1,684 |
| 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. |
| Warden, WA | 2,878 | 95 | 4.6% |
| Moses Lake North, WA | 4,821 | 98 | 1.7% |
| Cascade Valley, WA | 3,355 | 103 | 3.5% |
| Ephrata, WA | 8,390 | 104 | 4.0% |
| Moses Lake, WA | 24,055 | 107 | 6.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Venice, FL | 24,063 | 118 | 17.5% |
| Clayton, NC | 24,066 | 103 | 3.0% |
| Watertown, WI | 24,039 | 95 | 4.6% |
| Fairfax, VA | 24,037 | 160 | 59.7% |
| Carteret, NJ | 24,081 | 125 | 24.7% |
| Moses Lake, WA | 24,055 | 107 | 6.8% |
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