Cost of Living in Port Orchard, WA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Port Orchard, WA

Knowing the cost of living in Port Orchard allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Port Orchard stands at 134, marking it 34% higher than the national average.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Port Orchard may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Port Orchard falls within this bracket.

Housing costs significantly influence the Port Orchard cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 77.9%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Port Orchard, you you will have to spend 18.9% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Port Orchard?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 9 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Port Orchard. The feedback revealed that 22% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 78% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Port Orchard Affordable?

Is Port Orchard affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Port Orchard, the median home price is 93.6% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 41.5% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Port Orchard boasting a median household income of $71,719, 29.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Port Orchard?

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Port Orchard, the groceries index is 9.4% higher 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 Port Orchard, the transportation index is 31.5% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Port Orchard, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and income tax rates begin at 0%.

Where is the Data From?

The Port Orchard cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.