| Index | Washington | Missouri | National |
| Cost of living | 93 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 88 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 92 | 95 | 100 |
The cost of living in Washington affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Washington is 93, which is 7% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Washington aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Washington residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Wondering if Washington 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 Washington, for example, the median home price is 8.6% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 19.7% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Washington boasting a median household income of $97,715, which is 20.1% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Washington, the healthcare costs are 3.2% lower than the national average.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Washington, the utilities index registers 7.5% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
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 | $117,916 | $9,826 | $2,751 | $3,538 |
| Renters | $55,533 | $4,628 | $1,296 | $1,666 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Missouri | 4.225% | 10.85% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Missouri | 2% | 4.95% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Defiance, MO | 70 | 96 | 4.3% |
| Three Creeks, MO | 4 | 96 | 4.3% |
| Leslie, MO | 75 | 80 | 20.3% |
| St. Clair, MO | 4,878 | 88 | 12.3% |
| Gray Summit, MO | 2,446 | 89 | 10.8% |
| Washington, MO | 14,575 | 93 | 6.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| East Wenatchee, WA | 14,570 | 118 | 18.4% |
| Greendale, WI | 14,580 | 104 | 4.1% |
| Gonzalez, FL | 14,583 | 102 | 2.2% |
| Covington, GA | 14,585 | 99 | 0.6% |
| Washington Court House, OH | 14,562 | 87 | 13.5% |
| Washington, MO | 14,575 | 93 | 6.6% |
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