F
39%
Overall NAT. AVG.
19%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
93%
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 Poulsbo Washington National
Cost of living139118100
Goods & Services119111100
Groceries109110100
Health care130120100
Housing193135100
Transportation132123100
Utilities9092100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Poulsbo, WA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Poulsbo? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Poulsbo stands at 139, making it 39% 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 Poulsbo 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, Poulsbo falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Poulsbo cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 92.7% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Poulsbo goods and services are 18.9% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Poulsbo?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 7 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Poulsbo. The feedback revealed that 0% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 100% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Poulsbo Affordable?

Is Poulsbo 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 Poulsbo, the median home price is 110.8% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 50.4% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Poulsbo boasting a median household income of $72,813, 31.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Poulsbo?

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: 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 Poulsbo, the housing index stands at 92.7% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Poulsbo, the groceries index is 9.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Poulsbo 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Poulsbo is 17% higher than the Washington average
  • The cost of living in Poulsbo is 39% higher than the national average
  • Poulsbo housing is 93% 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 Poulsbo

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Compare Poulsbo, 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$100,955$8,413$2,355$3,029
      Renters$40,444$3,370$944$1,213
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Poulsbo, WA, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Poulsbo, homeowners have a median income of $100,955. Using that number, a maximum of $2,355 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $40,444, which means there is a maximum of $944 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Poulsbo 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 Poulsbo 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 Poulsbo 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 Poulsbo National avg. Difference
      Home Price $389,300.00$184,700.00110.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $4,122.62$2,346.6975.7%
      Apartment Rent $1,427.00$949.0050.4%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Poulsbo 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.
      Port Gamble Tribal Community, WA7831066.3%
      Quilcene, WA66411111.3%
      Navy Yard City, WA2,97311414.3%
      Erlands Point-Kitsap Lake, WA3,09511515.3%
      Bremerton, WA41,25812222.2%
      Poulsbo, WA10,86913938.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Camden, AR10,8778218.1%
      North Lindenhurst, NY10,86013433.6%
      River Forest, IL10,88315453.9%
      Sussex, WI10,88411313.1%
      Sturgis, MI10,8538317.2%
      Poulsbo, WA10,86913938.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.