Regional Price Parity, all items
107
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Housing price parity (rents)
126
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Utilities price parity
92.9
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Goods price parity
104.4
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Healthcare index
98
Regular gasoline price
$5.42 per gallon
Week of 2026-10-05 · U.S. EIA weekly retail price
Cost of living index
114.0
U.S. avg = 100
Housing cost index
141
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Cost of living index
2010–2024114▲ 11%
MERIC composite index, U.S. average = 100.
Cost of Living Index
Composite cost index.
Regional Price Parity, all items
107
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
U.S. average
100
Rank
8th most expensive
Regional Price Parity, all items
2008–2024107▲ 2%
BEA Regional Price Parities (SARPP line 1).
| Indicator | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Price Parity, all items2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 107 | 100 |
- •Washington is about 15% more expensive than the U.S. average, but no state income tax offsets part of that gap for high earners.
Housing Costs
Housing component of the index.
Housing price parity (rents)
126
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Median monthly owner cost
$2,364
Housing price parity (rents)
2008–2024126▲ 7%
BEA Regional Price Parities, housing (SARPP line 3).
| Indicator | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Housing price parity (rents)2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 126 | 100 |
- •Housing is the single reason Washington's overall cost of living sits above average; groceries and utilities are close to typical.
Utility Costs
Energy and utility spending.
Utilities price parity
92.9
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Electricity price per kWh (Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue)
$0.138 per kWh
2024 · BLS Average Price Data
Average electricity bill
$110 /mo
Electricity price
11.4 c/kWh
Utilities price parity
2008–202492.9▲ 17%
BEA Regional Price Parities, utilities (SARPP line 4).
Electricity price per kWh (Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue)
1979–2024$0.138▲ 820%
BLS Average Price Data, annual average (APUS49D72610).
| Indicator | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities price parity2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 92.9 | 100 |
| Residential electricity price (cents/kWh) | 11.4 | 16.4 |
- •Cheap hydropower gives Washington some of the lowest electricity prices in the United States.
Food Costs
Grocery spending.
Goods price parity
104.4
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Monthly grocery spend
$400 /person
Trend
Slightly below the U.S. average
Goods price parity
2008–2024104.4▲ 0%
BEA Regional Price Parities, goods (SARPP line 2).
| Indicator | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Goods price parity2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 104.4 | 100 |
- •Washington's dairy and food-processing industry keeps grocery prices close to the national average.
Healthcare Costs
Medical spending.
Healthcare index
98
Avg. annual premium
$7,600
Doctor visit
$120
| Indicator | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare cost index | 98 | 100 |
- •Washington hospital prices sit above the Midwest average, a long-running policy debate in the state.
Transportation Costs
Cost of getting around.
Regular gasoline price
$5.42 per gallon
Week of 2026-10-05 · U.S. EIA weekly retail price
Avg. auto insurance
$1,600 /yr
Regular gasoline price
2004–2025$4.13▲ 112%
U.S. EIA weekly retail price, all formulations, Washington, annual average (EMM_EPMR_PTE_SWA_DPG).
| Indicator | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gasoline priceWeek of 2026-10-05, U.S. EIA weekly retail price | $5.42 per gallon | $4.35 per gallon |
- •Auto insurance in Washington is among the cheapest in the country.
More figures
Utilities index
92
Food & groceries index
104
Healthcare index
115
Transportation index
111
Avg. electricity bill
$106 /mo
Among the lowest in the U.S.