| Index | Puyallup | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 129 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 110 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 175 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 111 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 109 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 109 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 105 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 113 | 117 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Puyallup 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 Puyallup is 129, which is 29% 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, Puyallup 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, Puyallup falls within this bracket.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Puyallup, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 75.3% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Is Puyallup 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 Puyallup, for instance, where the median home price falls 89.1% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 43% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Puyallup flaunting a median household income of $114,224, 40.4% higher than the national norm.
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.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Puyallup, the transportation index stands at 11.3% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Puyallup, the groceries index is 5% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Puyallup are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $165,303 | $13,775 | $3,857 | $4,960 |
| Renters | $85,711 | $7,143 | $2,000 | $2,572 |
| 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. |
| North Puyallup, WA | 2,029 | 111 | 11.1% |
| Midland, WA | 9,862 | 116 | 15.7% |
| Parkland, WA | 39,227 | 117 | 17.4% |
| Roy, WA | 834 | 116 | 16.2% |
| Carbonado, WA | 698 | 117 | 17.4% |
| Puyallup, WA | 42,717 | 129 | 28.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Woonsocket, RI | 42,718 | 105 | 4.7% |
| Moline, IL | 42,715 | 92 | 8.0% |
| Catonsville, MD | 42,742 | 124 | 23.8% |
| Langford, BC | 42,691 | n/a | |
| Grove City, OH | 42,755 | 101 | 1.1% |
| Puyallup, WA | 42,717 | 129 | 28.6% |
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