Cost of Living in Camas, WA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Camas, WA

The cost of living in Camas 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 Camas is 140, which is 40% higher 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 Camas is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Camas falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Camas, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 112% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Camas is no exception, where grocery prices are 10.5% above the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Camas?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 5 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Camas. The feedback revealed that 0% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 100% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Camas Affordable?

Is Camas 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 Camas is 148% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 27.9% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Camas has a median household income of $115,993, which is 109.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Camas?

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Camas comes in at 3.8% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Camas, the transportation index is 26.3% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Camas starts at 6.5% and the income tax rates start at 0%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Camas, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.