Cost of Living in Blaine, WA

Population 5,982 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

139
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Blaine is a smaller Washington community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $81,559 and housing costs ($501,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.8% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 75 miles northwest of Everett, Blaine is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Housing prices track closely with Everett's $532,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 164
Rent 101

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

About the Cost of Living in Blaine

The median home value in Blaine is $500,600 — 64% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,323/month, 1% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $81,559/year is 9% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.8%, 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 58.9°F and lows of 43.4°F. Overall, Blaine has a cost of living index of 139 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$500,600
64% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$534,075
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,323/mo
1% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,406/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
31.5x
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 69.0%
Renter-occupied 31.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,323
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,937/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
20.4 min
24% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.5%
Carpooled
7.7%
Walked
2.7%
Work from home
19.4%

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
$81,559
9% above avg
Per Capita Income
$45,110
Unemployment Rate
7.8%
61% above avg
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Labor Force Participation
56.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.1%
Graduate degree 11.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.6
Male median age 42.9
Female median age 40.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.9°F
Avg Low
43.4°F
Annual Precip
34.7"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 464953586468737368595146
Low °F 343538424752555550433834
Precip" 4.492.853.362.772.231.610.881.132.013.855.204.33

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 31 — Good
90.8%
Good air days/yr
94
Max AQI recorded
233
PM2.5 days
127
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
2,290
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Blaine, WA?

Blaine has a cost index of 139 (100 = national average). It is 39% above the national average.

What is average rent in Blaine, WA?

The median gross rent in Blaine is $1,323 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Blaine?

The median home value in Blaine is $500,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Blaine?

The median household income in Blaine is $81,559 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Blaine, WA?

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

Is Blaine, WA affordable?

Blaine is above average in cost of living, with an index of 139 — about 39% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Blaine?

Blaine 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.

Blaine at a Glance

Population
5,982
Median Income
$81,559
Home Value
$500,600
Median Rent
$1,323/mo
Unemployment
7.8%
Avg High Temp
58.9°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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