| Index | Pullman | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 118 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 106 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 136 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 109 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 110 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 113 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 106 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 117 | 117 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Pullman 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 Pullman is 118, which is 18% 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.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Pullman 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 36.3% 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 9 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Pullman. The feedback revealed that 33% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 67% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Pullman an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Pullman is 55.7% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 8.9% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Pullman has a median household income of $46,850, which is 42.4% lower than the national average.
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.
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 Pullman, is 36.3% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including 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 farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
The Pullman 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.
| 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 | $143,358 | $11,947 | $3,345 | $4,301 |
| Renters | $32,338 | $2,695 | $755 | $970 |
| 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. |
| Onaway, ID | 212 | 99 | 1.5% |
| Albion, WA | 697 | 103 | 2.7% |
| Colfax, WA | 2,957 | 103 | 3.3% |
| Potlatch, ID | 867 | 103 | 3.3% |
| Palouse, WA | 1,002 | 104 | 4.0% |
| Pullman, WA | 34,799 | 118 | 17.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| New City, NY | 34,823 | 150 | 50.1% |
| Seaside, CA | 34,761 | 158 | 58.4% |
| Spanaway, WA | 34,750 | 120 | 20.1% |
| Sorel-Tracy, QC | 34,850 | n/a | |
| Valparaiso, IN | 34,723 | 98 | 2.0% |
| Pullman, WA | 34,799 | 118 | 17.5% |
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