A+
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
39%
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 Washington Pennsylvania National
Cost of living8998100
Goods & Services9399100
Groceries10099100
Health care9194100
Housing6191100
Transportation107106100
Utilities125107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Washington, PA

The cost of living in Washington 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 Washington is 89, which is 11% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Is Washington Affordable?

Is Washington 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 Washington is 45.8% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 23.9% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Washington has a median household income of $47,771, which is 13.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Washington?

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Washington, the housing index comes in at 39.2% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Washington, 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 Washington is 9% lower than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in Washington is 11% lower than the national average
  • Washington housing is 39% lower than the national average
  • Pennsylvania general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Pennsylvania state income tax is 18% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Washington

See all the best places to live around Washington

Compare Washington, PA Cost of Living

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      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$61,785$5,149$1,442$1,854
      Renters$33,988$2,832$793$1,020
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Washington, PA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Washington have a median income of $61,785. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,442 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $33,988, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $793.

      Pennsylvania Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Pennsylvania 6% 8%

      Pennsylvania Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Pennsylvania 3.07% 3.07%

      Goods & Services

      Item Washington National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.73$24.262.2%
      Beauty Salon $40.40$45.5611.3%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.6%
      Shampoo $1.39$1.288.5%
      Movie $11.77$12.133.0%
      Bowling $16.24$18.009.8%

      Groceries

      Item Washington National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.70$5.842.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.6%
      Milk $4.52$4.673.2%
      Potatoes $5.47$4.9310.8%
      Pizza $12.83$12.096.2%
      Beer $10.58$10.411.6%

      Health Care

      Item Washington National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $109.26$125.6813.1%
      Doctor $100.92$135.7825.7%
      Dentist $110.50$113.292.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.45$10.651.9%
      Lipitor $502.54$468.607.2%

      Housing

      Item Washington National avg. Difference
      Home Price $100,100.00$184,700.0045.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,225.61$2,346.695.2%
      Apartment Rent $722.00$949.0023.9%

      Transportation

      Item Washington National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.73$3.467.6%
      Tire Balancing $64.05$59.926.9%

      Utilities

      Item Washington National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $270.68$193.9939.5%
      Phone $196.77$192.252.4%
      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.
      Fredericktown, PA200955.2%
      Westland, PA451010.8%
      Van Voorhis, PA4781010.8%
      Southview, PA3141010.8%
      Millsboro, PA503955.2%
      Washington, PA13,4048911.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Moss Point, MS13,3968614.0%
      Beaufort, SC13,4171065.5%
      Dardenne Prairie, MO13,38511312.8%
      Brainerd, MN13,423945.9%
      New Providence, NJ13,38215958.7%
      Washington, PA13,4048911.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.