F
55%
Overall NAT. AVG.
19%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
147%
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 Vashon Washington National
Cost of living155118100
Goods & Services119111100
Groceries109110100
Health care130120100
Housing247135100
Transportation132123100
Utilities9092100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Vashon, WA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Vashon? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Vashon stands at 155, making it 55% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Vashon may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Vashon falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Vashon, 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 146.5% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

The things you purchase regularly, like clothes, haircuts, movie tickets and gym memberships, can make a big dent in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. Unfortunately in Vashon, these items will cost you 18.9% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

Is Vashon Affordable?

Is Vashon 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 Vashon is 198.5% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 25.2% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Vashon has a median household income of $78,368, which is 41.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Vashon?

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Vashon, the housing index stands at 146.5% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Vashon, the utilities index is 10.5% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Vashon, 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Vashon is 31% higher than the Washington average
  • The cost of living in Vashon is 55% higher than the national average
  • Vashon housing is 147% 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 Vashon

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Compare Vashon, 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$98,885$8,240$2,307$2,967
      Renters$45,132$3,761$1,053$1,354
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Vashon, WA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Vashon, the median monthly income is $98,885 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,307 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $45,132, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,053 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Vashon National avg. Difference
      Haircut $35.56$24.2646.6%
      Beauty Salon $57.20$45.5625.5%
      Toothpaste $3.97$3.707.2%
      Shampoo $1.32$1.283.2%
      Movie $15.20$12.1325.3%
      Bowling $23.33$18.0029.6%

      Groceries

      Item Vashon National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.76$5.841.4%
      Fried Chicken $2.20$1.5740.1%
      Milk $5.02$4.677.5%
      Potatoes $4.41$4.9310.6%
      Pizza $15.44$12.0927.7%
      Beer $11.94$10.4114.7%

      Health Care

      Item Vashon National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $238.27$125.6889.6%
      Doctor $147.56$135.788.7%
      Dentist $129.03$113.2913.9%
      Ibuprofen $12.23$10.6514.8%
      Lipitor $546.24$468.6016.6%

      Housing

      Item Vashon National avg. Difference
      Home Price $551,400.00$184,700.00198.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $4,122.62$2,346.6975.7%
      Apartment Rent $1,188.00$949.0025.2%

      Transportation

      Item Vashon National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.38$3.4626.6%
      Tire Balancing $65.96$59.9210.1%

      Utilities

      Item Vashon National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $171.50$193.9911.6%
      Phone $200.35$192.254.2%
      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.
      Navy Yard City, WA2,97311414.3%
      Fairwood CDP (Spokane County), WA8,05511413.7%
      Erlands Point-Kitsap Lake, WA3,09511515.3%
      East Port Orchard, WA5,06912121.4%
      Bremerton, WA41,25812222.2%
      Vashon, WA10,40015554.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cambridge, OH10,3988416.0%
      Quartz Hill, CA10,40513030.5%
      Fort Madison, IA10,4078614.4%
      Cavan Monaghan, ON10,407n/a 
      Cape Canaveral, FL10,4111076.6%
      Vashon, WA10,40015554.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.