Cost of Living in White Center, WA

An Overview of Cost of Living in White Center, WA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in White Center? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in White Center stands at 144, making it 44% 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 White Center 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, White Center 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 White Center 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 103.4% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In White Center, these items will cost you 19.5% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in White Center, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 16.3% higher than the national average.

Is White Center Affordable?

Is White Center 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 White Center is 130.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 41% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. White Center has a median household income of $61,750, which is 11.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in White Center?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In White Center, healthcare costs are 37.6% higher than the national average.

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 White Center, the transportation index is 28.2% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In White Center, the utilities index is 2.1% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The White Center 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. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.