Cost of Living in Belfair, WA

Population 4,601 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

96
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Belfair sits on the smaller end of the Washington city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.5% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Belfair sits roughly 25 miles northwest of Tacoma — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 32% lower than Tacoma's $455,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 101
Rent 88

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Belfair

The median home value in Belfair is $307,600 — 1% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,150/month, 12% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $74,477/year is equal to than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.5%, above the national average of 4.8%. Washington charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 59.6°F and lows of 44.3°F. Overall, Belfair has a cost of living index of 96 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$307,600
1% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$474,718
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,150/mo
12% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,645/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.3x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.0%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$963
1 BR
$1,018
2 BR
$1,317
3 BR
$1,845
4 BR
$2,071
Owner-occupied 74.8%
Renter-occupied 25.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,150
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,764/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
41.5 min
54% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
62.9%
Carpooled
26.5%
Public transit
3.9%
Walked
0.8%
Work from home
4.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 9.2%
State rate 6.5%
Avg local rate 2.7%
Property Tax 1.0%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$74,477
0% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,094
Unemployment Rate
7.5%
55% above avg
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Labor Force Participation
59.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 8.0%
Graduate degree 3.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31.5
Male median age 33.1
Female median age 31.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.6°F
Avg Low
44.3°F
Annual Precip
42"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 464853586570767670595146
Low °F 363739414751545451464036
Precip" 6.064.114.633.392.081.360.680.861.544.327.185.81

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 24 — Good
86.2%
Good air days/yr
106
Max AQI recorded
363
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
2,394
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Belfair, WA?

Belfair has a cost index of 96 (100 = national average). It is 4% below the national average.

What is average rent in Belfair, WA?

The median gross rent in Belfair is $1,150 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Belfair?

The median home value in Belfair is $307,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Belfair?

The median household income in Belfair is $74,477 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Belfair, WA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Belfair is 9.2%. Washington has no state income tax.

Is Belfair, WA affordable?

Belfair is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 96 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Belfair?

Belfair has average high temperatures of 59.6°F and average lows of 44.3°F. Annual precipitation is 42". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Belfair at a Glance

Population
4,601
Median Income
$74,477
Home Value
$307,600
Median Rent
$1,150/mo
Unemployment
7.5%
Avg High Temp
59.6°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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