D
24%
Overall NAT. AVG.
17%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
48%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Spanaway Washington National
Cost of living124118100
Goods & Services117111100
Groceries113110100
Health care125120100
Housing148135100
Transportation124123100
Utilities9592100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Spanaway, WA

Understanding the cost of living in Spanaway can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Spanaway cost of living index is 124, which is 24% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Spanaway may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Spanaway falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Spanaway cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 47.5% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Spanaway, these items will cost you 17.1% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Spanaway, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 13.1% higher than the national average.

Is Spanaway Affordable?

Is Spanaway an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Spanaway, the median home price is 48.5% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 45.2% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Spanaway come in at $76,447, which is 38.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Spanaway?

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Spanaway, the groceries index is 13.1% higher than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Spanaway, the housing index is 47.5% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Spanaway, the utilities index stands at 5.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Spanaway displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Spanaway is 6% higher than the Washington average
  • The cost of living in Spanaway is 24% higher than the national average
  • Spanaway housing is 48% higher than the national average
  • Washington general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Washington state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Spanaway

See all the best places to live around Spanaway

Compare Spanaway, WA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$81,766$6,814$1,908$2,453
      Renters$50,323$4,194$1,174$1,510
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Spanaway, WA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Spanaway homeowners, is $81,766. This would allow for a maximum of $1,908 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $50,323 which would result in a maximum of $1,174 to be spent on rental costs.

      Washington Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Washington 6.5% 10.4%

      Washington Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Washington 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Spanaway National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.76$24.262.1%
      Beauty Salon $54.27$45.5619.1%
      Toothpaste $4.15$3.7012.1%
      Shampoo $1.38$1.287.6%
      Movie $11.92$12.131.8%
      Bowling $21.09$18.0017.2%

      Groceries

      Item Spanaway National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.71$5.842.2%
      Fried Chicken $2.55$1.5762.3%
      Milk $5.14$4.6710.0%
      Potatoes $3.87$4.9321.6%
      Pizza $15.13$12.0925.2%
      Beer $11.74$10.4112.8%

      Health Care

      Item Spanaway National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $191.81$125.6852.6%
      Doctor $192.99$135.7842.1%
      Dentist $127.12$113.2912.2%
      Ibuprofen $11.85$10.6511.2%
      Lipitor $555.70$468.6018.6%

      Housing

      Item Spanaway National avg. Difference
      Home Price $274,300.00$184,700.0048.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,051.24$2,346.6930.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,378.00$949.0045.2%

      Transportation

      Item Spanaway National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.20$3.4621.3%
      Tire Balancing $78.74$59.9231.4%

      Utilities

      Item Spanaway National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $169.30$193.9912.7%
      Phone $204.78$192.256.5%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Ketron Island, WA011514.6%
      North Yelm, WA3,7381098.8%
      North Puyallup, WA1,97011515.1%
      Nisqually Indian Community, WA59111514.6%
      Midland, WA9,51811817.9%
      Spanaway, WA33,77612424.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Dana Point, CA33,782203103.4%
      Kearney, NE33,783927.7%
      San Dimas, CA33,81216463.5%
      Ken Caryl, CO33,81513434.3%
      Newark, DE33,82211716.8%
      Spanaway, WA33,77612424.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.