| Index | Renton | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 144 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 112 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 218 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 113 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 111 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 118 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 106 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 124 | 117 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Renton allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Renton stands at 144, marking it 44% higher than the national average.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Renton may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Renton falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Renton 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 117.8% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 8 residents in Renton 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? 38% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 63% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Renton 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 Renton, for instance, where the median home price falls 140.1% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 65.9% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Renton flaunting a median household income of $117,565, 44.5% higher than the national norm.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Renton, the transportation index is 13% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Renton, the groceries index is 9.8% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Renton, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and income tax rates kick off at 0%.
The cost of living data for Renton 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 | $159,491 | $13,291 | $3,721 | $4,785 |
| Renters | $96,783 | $8,065 | $2,258 | $2,904 |
| 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. |
| Fairwood CDP (Spokane County), WA | 8,331 | 113 | 13.4% |
| Algona, WA | 3,277 | 124 | 23.8% |
| Pacific, WA | 7,286 | 126 | 25.7% |
| Tukwila, WA | 20,710 | 126 | 25.7% |
| SeaTac, WA | 30,186 | 129 | 29.0% |
| Renton, WA | 105,173 | 144 | 44.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Sparks, NV | 105,155 | 121 | 21.4% |
| Brantford, ON | 105,103 | n/a | |
| Davenport, IA | 105,320 | 91 | 9.1% |
| Chatham-Kent, ON | 105,414 | n/a | |
| El Cajon, CA | 105,484 | 150 | 50.0% |
| Renton, WA | 105,173 | 144 | 44.3% |
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