Cost of Living in East Renton Highlands, WA

An Overview of Cost of Living in East Renton Highlands, WA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in East Renton Highlands? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in East Renton Highlands stands at 166, making it 66% 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.

The cost of living in East Renton Highlands is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, East Renton Highlands falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the East Renton Highlands 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 188.2% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Goods and services make up 33% of the total cost of living index score and are a large part of your everyday expenses. These items could include things like haircuts, salons, toothpaste, shampoo, clothes, movies, bowling, gym memberships or yoga. In East Renton Highlands, you can expect to pay 13% more than average for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, East Renton Highlands is no exception, where grocery prices are 16% above the national average.

Is East Renton Highlands Affordable?

Is East Renton Highlands 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 East Renton Highlands, the median home price is 209.2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 139.1% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with East Renton Highlands boasting a median household income of $112,500, 103.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in East Renton Highlands?

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.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in East Renton Highlands starts at 6.5% and the income tax rates start at 0%.

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 East Renton Highlands, healthcare costs are 15.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The East Renton Highlands 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.