Cost of Living in Chelan, WA
Population 4,314 · Washington · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Chelan 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. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.8% — below most comparable cities in the state.
Chelan lies roughly 100 miles east of the nearest major metro, Bellevue — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 64% lower than Bellevue's $1.2 million.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Chelan
The median home value in Chelan is $428,200 — 40% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,447/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,996/year is 3% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.8%, 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 60.6°F and lows of 41.7°F. Overall, Chelan has a cost of living index of 128 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% more expensive.
Chelan has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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 | 34 | 42 | 53 | 62 | 72 | 78 | 88 | 86 | 77 | 61 | 44 | 33 |
| Low °F | 24 | 27 | 34 | 40 | 49 | 55 | 62 | 61 | 53 | 41 | 31 | 25 |
| Precip" | 1.02 | 0.76 | 0.73 | 0.57 | 0.77 | 0.50 | 0.24 | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.62 | 0.85 | 1.31 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Chelan, WA?
Chelan has a cost index of 128 (100 = national average). It is 28% above the national average.
What is average rent in Chelan, WA?
The median gross rent in Chelan is $1,447 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Chelan?
The median home value in Chelan is $428,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Chelan?
The median household income in Chelan is $71,996 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Chelan, WA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Chelan is 9.2%. Washington has no state income tax.
Is Chelan, WA affordable?
Chelan is above average in cost of living, with an index of 128 — about 28% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Chelan?
Chelan has average high temperatures of 60.6°F and average lows of 41.7°F. Annual precipitation is 7.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Chelan at a Glance
- Population
- 4,314
- Median Income
- $71,996
- Home Value
- $428,200
- Median Rent
- $1,447/mo
- Unemployment
- 0.8%
- Avg High Temp
- 60.6°F
- Sales Tax
- 9.2%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Washington Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs