Cost of Living in Buckley, WA

Population 5,306 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

155
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Buckley is a smaller Washington community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $121,719 and housing costs ($506,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 20 miles southeast of Kent, Buckley falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Kent's $538,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 166
Rent 139

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

About the Cost of Living in Buckley

The median home value in Buckley is $506,400 — 66% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,824/month, 39% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $121,719/year is 63% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.1%, 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 61.3°F and lows of 46.1°F, with about 6.3" of annual snowfall. Overall, Buckley has a cost of living index of 155 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 55% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$506,400
66% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$651,742
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,824/mo
39% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.1x
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 75.2%
Renter-occupied 24.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,824
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,438/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
39.7 min
47% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
67.7%
Carpooled
9.6%
Public transit
1.5%
Walked
3.0%
Work from home
14.4%

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
$121,719
63% above avg
Per Capita Income
$46,843
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
35% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Labor Force Participation
57.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.8%
Graduate degree 3.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44
Male median age 44
Female median age 42.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.3°F
Avg Low
46.1°F
Annual Precip
39.3"
Annual Snowfall
6.3"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 485054596671777872615247
Low °F 383840434953575754474137
Precip" 5.783.764.173.181.881.450.600.971.613.916.315.72
Snow" 1.82.20.40.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.21.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
74.8%
Good air days/yr
195
Max AQI recorded
150
PM2.5 days
213
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
20:1
Student-teacher ratio
10
Public schools
4,165
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Buckley, WA?

Buckley has a cost index of 155 (100 = national average). It is 55% above the national average.

What is average rent in Buckley, WA?

The median gross rent in Buckley is $1,824 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Buckley?

The median home value in Buckley is $506,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Buckley?

The median household income in Buckley is $121,719 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Buckley, WA?

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

Is Buckley, WA affordable?

Buckley is above average in cost of living, with an index of 155 — about 55% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Buckley?

Buckley has average high temperatures of 61.3°F and average lows of 46.1°F. Annual precipitation is 39.3". Average annual snowfall is 6.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Buckley at a Glance

Population
5,306
Median Income
$121,719
Home Value
$506,400
Median Rent
$1,824/mo
Unemployment
3.1%
Avg High Temp
61.3°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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