Cost of Living in University Place, WA

With a cost of living index of 137, University Place, WA is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 37% more expensive than the national average and 18% above the Washington state average of 119. With a population of 34,850, University Place is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in University Place's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,664 (26% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $578,100 (90% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.1x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in University Place is $94,952, which is 26% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 21% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they do not fully offset the higher cost of living.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to University Place. The area sees an average annual temperature of 51.9°F, with summers averaging 63°F and winters around 42°F. Annual rainfall totals 42 inches spread over roughly 168 days.

Everyday prices in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.