Cost of Living in Graham, WA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Graham, WA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Graham? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Graham stands at 134, making it 34% 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 prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Graham 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, Graham falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Graham, 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 77.7% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

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 Graham, you you will have to spend 17.1% 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, Graham does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 13.1% higher than the national average.

Is Graham Affordable?

Is Graham 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 Graham, the median home price is 77.6% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 78.1% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Graham boasting a median household income of $90,403, 63.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Graham?

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Graham, the transportation index is 24.2% higher than the national average.

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 Graham, the housing index stands at 77.7% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Graham, the groceries index registers 13.1% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Graham cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.