An Overview of Cost of Living in Enumclaw, WA
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Enumclaw? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Enumclaw stands at 128, making it 28% 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're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Enumclaw 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, Enumclaw falls within this bracket.
Housing costs significantly influence the Enumclaw 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 64.3%. 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 Enumclaw, you you will have to spend 13% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.
The surge in grocery costs is indeed alarming, especially when groceries make up a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Over the past two years, there has been an inflation of over 10% in grocery prices. Unfortunately, Enumclaw does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 16% higher than the national average.
What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Enumclaw?
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 5 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Enumclaw and this is how they responded. 20% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 80% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Enumclaw Affordable?
Is Enumclaw affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Enumclaw, for instance, where the median home price falls 80.6% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 26.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Enumclaw flaunting a median household income of $78,750, 42.3% higher than the national norm.
What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Enumclaw?
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Enumclaw, healthcare costs are 15.4% higher than the national average.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Enumclaw, the transportation index is 25.2% higher than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Enumclaw, the housing index is 64.3% higher than the national average.
Where is the Data From?
The cost of living data in Enumclaw 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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