Cost of Living in Sammamish, WA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Sammamish, WA

Knowing the cost of living in Sammamish allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Sammamish stands at 206, marking it 106% higher than the national average.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Sammamish 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, Sammamish falls within this bracket.

When it comes to the cost of living in Sammamish, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 308.5% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, 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 Sammamish, you you will have to spend 19.5% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in Sammamish is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 16.3% higher than the national average.

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

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 9 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Sammamish and this is how they responded. 22% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 78% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Sammamish Affordable?

Is Sammamish 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 Sammamish is 375.4% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 152.4% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Sammamish has a median household income of $181,464, which is 228% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sammamish?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Sammamish, the transportation index is 28.2% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Sammamish, healthcare costs are 37.6% higher than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Sammamish, the housing index is 308.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Sammamish 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.