Cost of Living in Birch Bay, WA
Population 11,103 · Washington · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Birch Bay is a smaller Washington community of around 11000 residents, where median household incomes of $77,120 and housing costs ($439,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.
Located 70 miles northwest of Everett, Birch Bay is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 18% lower than Everett's $532,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Birch Bay
The median home value in Birch Bay is $439,100 — 44% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,201/month, 9% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $77,120/year is 3% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Washington charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 58.9°F and lows of 43.4°F. Overall, Birch Bay has a cost of living index of 123 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 23% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 46 | 49 | 53 | 58 | 64 | 68 | 73 | 73 | 68 | 59 | 51 | 46 |
| Low °F | 34 | 35 | 38 | 42 | 47 | 52 | 55 | 55 | 50 | 43 | 38 | 34 |
| Precip" | 4.49 | 2.85 | 3.36 | 2.77 | 2.23 | 1.61 | 0.88 | 1.13 | 2.01 | 3.85 | 5.20 | 4.33 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Birch Bay, WA?
Birch Bay has a cost index of 123 (100 = national average). It is 23% above the national average.
What is average rent in Birch Bay, WA?
The median gross rent in Birch Bay is $1,201 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Birch Bay?
The median home value in Birch Bay is $439,100 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Birch Bay?
The median household income in Birch Bay is $77,120 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Birch Bay, WA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Birch Bay is 9.2%. Washington has no state income tax.
Is Birch Bay, WA affordable?
Birch Bay is above average in cost of living, with an index of 123 — about 23% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Birch Bay?
Birch Bay has average high temperatures of 58.9°F and average lows of 43.4°F. Annual precipitation is 34.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Birch Bay at a Glance
- Population
- 11,103
- Median Income
- $77,120
- Home Value
- $439,100
- Median Rent
- $1,201/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.8%
- Avg High Temp
- 58.9°F
- Sales Tax
- 9.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data
Washington Rankings
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