A+
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
13%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Pasco Washington National
Cost of living104118100
Goods & Services94111100
Groceries104110100
Health care117120100
Housing113135100
Transportation117123100
Utilities8792100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Pasco, WA

Understanding the cost of living in Pasco can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Pasco cost of living index is 104, which is 4% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Pasco aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Pasco 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.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Pasco?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 5 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Pasco and this is how they responded. 40% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 60% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Pasco Affordable?

Is Pasco 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 Pasco, the median home price is 20.2% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 2.3% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Pasco come in at $64,756, which is 17.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Pasco?

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Pasco, the transportation index is 16.5% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Pasco, healthcare costs are 17.1% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Pasco displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Pasco is 12% lower than the Washington average
  • The cost of living in Pasco is 4% higher than the national average
  • Pasco housing is 13% higher than the national average
  • Washington general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Washington state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Pasco

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Compare Pasco, WA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$81,587$6,799$1,904$2,448
      Renters$35,255$2,938$823$1,058
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Pasco, WA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Pasco, the median monthly income is $81,587 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,904 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $35,255, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $823 on monthly rental expenses.

      Washington Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Washington 6.5% 10.4%

      Washington Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Washington 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Pasco National avg. Difference
      Haircut $22.67$24.266.6%
      Beauty Salon $39.87$45.5612.5%
      Toothpaste $4.00$3.708.1%
      Shampoo $1.15$1.289.9%
      Movie $9.66$12.1320.4%
      Bowling $11.07$18.0038.5%

      Groceries

      Item Pasco National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.27$5.847.4%
      Fried Chicken $2.76$1.5775.5%
      Milk $4.73$4.671.2%
      Potatoes $4.34$4.9312.0%
      Pizza $11.99$12.090.8%
      Beer $10.92$10.414.9%

      Health Care

      Item Pasco National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $144.67$125.6815.1%
      Doctor $182.86$135.7834.7%
      Dentist $130.71$113.2915.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.85$10.651.8%
      Lipitor $482.37$468.602.9%

      Housing

      Item Pasco National avg. Difference
      Home Price $222,000.00$184,700.0020.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,425.82$2,346.693.4%
      Apartment Rent $927.00$949.002.3%

      Transportation

      Item Pasco National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.13$3.4619.3%
      Tire Balancing $65.72$59.929.7%

      Utilities

      Item Pasco National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $148.41$193.9923.5%
      Phone $198.27$192.253.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Wallula, WA151928.0%
      Finley, WA5,8581043.7%
      Burbank, WA3,5221065.8%
      Kennewick, WA82,6331065.9%
      Richland, WA57,35311312.5%
      Pasco, WA74,2661043.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Sault Ste. Marie, ON74,249n/a 
      Wood Buffalo, AB74,298n/a 
      Centreville, VA74,23014443.5%
      Jacksonville, NC74,313973.3%
      Bolingbrook, IL74,31911010.4%
      Pasco, WA74,2661043.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.