| Index | Oak Harbor | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 123 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 157 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 107 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 108 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 110 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 104 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 112 | 117 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Oak Harbor 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 Oak Harbor is 123, which is 23% 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, Oak Harbor 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, Oak Harbor falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Oak Harbor 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 56.8% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 17 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Oak Harbor. The results indicated that 47% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 53% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Oak Harbor 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 Oak Harbor, for instance, where the median home price falls 67.3% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 32.2% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Oak Harbor flaunting a median household income of $85,524, 5.2% higher than the national norm.
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 Oak Harbor, healthcare costs are 9.3% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
The Oak Harbor 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 | $113,223 | $9,435 | $2,642 | $3,397 |
| Renters | $74,169 | $6,181 | $1,730 | $2,225 |
| 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. |
| Conway, WA | 42 | 108 | 8.1% |
| Northwest Stanwood, WA | 82 | 108 | 8.1% |
| Whidbey Island Station, WA | 2,452 | 114 | 14.5% |
| Burlington, WA | 9,267 | 117 | 17.4% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | 36,653 | 121 | 21.0% |
| Oak Harbor, WA | 24,266 | 123 | 22.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Apollo Beach, FL | 24,263 | 122 | 21.9% |
| North Augusta, SC | 24,271 | 98 | 1.9% |
| Ashland, CA | 24,254 | 162 | 62.0% |
| Jacksonville Beach, FL | 24,280 | 135 | 34.6% |
| Bailey's Crossroads, VA | 24,246 | 136 | 35.6% |
| Oak Harbor, WA | 24,266 | 123 | 22.7% |
Here are the best places to live in Washington
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Washington
Most Dangerous States In The US
Safest States In The US