Washington has a cost of living index of 119 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $90,795 and a population of 6,461,293. We ranked 15 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in Washington.
Pasco is 1% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $81,130 and a population of 78,446.
West Richland is 16% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $118,056 and a population of 17,126.
Richland is 10% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $92,550 and a population of 61,912.
Kennewick is 1% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $72,867 and a population of 84,389.
Spokane is 3% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $65,745 and a population of 229,228.
Moses Lake is 3% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $71,854 and a population of 25,594.
Spokane Valley is 1% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $70,722 and a population of 105,460.
Yakima is 11% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $59,228 and a population of 96,810.
Minnehaha is 20% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $108,203 and a population of 12,080.
Orchards is 24% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $96,893 and a population of 29,716.
Grandview is 15% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $59,875 and a population of 11,042.
Battle Ground is 19% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $100,185 and a population of 21,293.
Sunnyside is 16% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $53,350 and a population of 16,329.
Airway Heights is 1% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $64,659 and a population of 10,766.
Walla Walla is 1% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $65,493 and a population of 33,766.
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.