F
31%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
84%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Sumner Washington National
Cost of living131119100
Groceries105107100
Health care110109100
Housing184138100
Transportation111112100
Utilities109110100
Lifestyle & Entertainment109112100
Household Items105107100
Education & Childcare113117100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Sumner, WA

Knowing the cost of living in Sumner 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 Sumner stands at 131, marking it 31% higher than the national average.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Sumner 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, Sumner falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Sumner, 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 83.7% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is Sumner Affordable?

Wondering if Sumner is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Sumner, for example, the median home price is 96.6% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 53.7% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Sumner boasting a median household income of $101,765, which is 25.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sumner?

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

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.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Sumner comes in at 9.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Sumner cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Sumner is 11% higher than the Washington average
  • The cost of living in Sumner is 31% higher than the national average
  • Sumner housing is 84% 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 Sumner

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Compare Sumner, WA Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$128,065$10,672$2,988$3,842
      Renters$85,018$7,085$1,984$2,551
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Sumner, WA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Sumner homeowners, is $128,065. This would allow for a maximum of $2,988 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $85,018 which would result in a maximum of $1,984 to be spent on rental costs.

      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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      North Puyallup, WA2,02911111.1%
      Midland, WA9,86211615.7%
      Parkland, WA39,22711717.4%
      Carbonado, WA69811717.4%
      South Prairie, WA30912020.3%
      Sumner, WA10,60413131.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hillsdale, NJ10,60515756.9%
      Troy, IL10,6011000.5%
      Nanticoke, PA10,6078614.4%
      Milton, FL10,5971000.1%
      Canandaigua, NY10,6111044.4%
      Sumner, WA10,60413131.2%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.