| Index | Washington | Indiana | National |
| Cost of living | 85 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 58 | 72 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 94 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Washington? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Washington stands at 85, making it 15% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Housing expenses can absorb a substantial portion of your net income, sometimes exceeding 30%. Thankfully, Washington stands out by reporting housing costs that are 42.2% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Washington can allocate a more reasonable portion of their income to housing, allowing for greater financial flexibility.
Is Washington 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 Washington is 49% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 26.4% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Washington has a median household income of $60,746, which is 25.3% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Washington, the general sales tax rate starts at 7%, and income tax rates begin at 3.15%.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
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 Washington, the groceries index is 4.1% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Washington 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.
| 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 | $92,221 | $7,685 | $2,152 | $2,767 |
| Renters | $32,787 | $2,732 | $765 | $984 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Indiana | 7% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Indiana | 3.15% | 3.15% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Alfordsville, IN | 37 | 97 | 2.8% |
| Raglesville, IN | 108 | 97 | 2.8% |
| Ragsdale, IN | 254 | 97 | 3.1% |
| Westphalia, IN | 52 | 97 | 3.1% |
| Otwell, IN | 251 | 74 | 25.8% |
| Washington, IN | 12,882 | 85 | 14.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Grand Terrace, CA | 12,885 | 136 | 36.4% |
| Riverdale, IL | 12,878 | 89 | 10.8% |
| Gulf Shores, AL | 12,877 | 113 | 12.7% |
| West Monroe, LA | 12,888 | 89 | 10.5% |
| Artesia, NM | 12,890 | 97 | 2.5% |
| Washington, IN | 12,882 | 85 | 14.6% |
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