| Index | University Place | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 132 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 106 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 187 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 110 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 108 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 112 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 108 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 112 | 117 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in University Place 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 University Place is 132, which is 32% 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.
The cost of living in University Place is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, University Place falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the University Place cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 86.6% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 8 locals to get their views on the cost of living in University Place. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 13% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 88% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is University Place 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 University Place, for instance, where the median home price falls 111.3% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 29.1% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with University Place flaunting a median household income of $116,014, 42.6% higher than the national norm.
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 University Place, healthcare costs are 6.4% higher than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In University Place, the housing index stands at 86.6% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
The University Place 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 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 | $154,660 | $12,888 | $3,608 | $4,640 |
| Renters | $78,398 | $6,533 | $1,829 | $2,352 |
| 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. |
| Ketron Island, WA | 0 | 110 | 10.2% |
| North Puyallup, WA | 2,029 | 111 | 11.1% |
| Nisqually Indian Community, WA | 603 | 112 | 12.1% |
| Longbranch, WA | 4,700 | 114 | 14.3% |
| Midland, WA | 9,862 | 116 | 15.7% |
| University Place, WA | 34,663 | 132 | 31.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Huntington Station, NY | 34,661 | 139 | 38.6% |
| Deer Park, TX | 34,681 | 102 | 1.7% |
| Golden Glades, FL | 34,635 | 113 | 13.4% |
| Fairborn, OH | 34,620 | 89 | 10.8% |
| Woodridge, IL | 34,713 | 114 | 14.4% |
| University Place, WA | 34,663 | 132 | 31.8% |
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