Cost of Living in Cheney, WA
Population 12,830 · Washington · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
At $47,039, median household incomes in Cheney land roughly 37% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. A poverty rate near 35% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Cheney sits roughly 14 miles southwest of Spokane — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Spokane's $326,000 median.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Cheney
The median home value in Cheney is $330,300 — 8% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,075/month, 18% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $47,039/year is 37% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 12.7%, 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 58.4°F and lows of 31.6°F. Overall, Cheney has a cost of living index of 98 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 2% less 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 | 36 | 40 | 49 | 57 | 67 | 73 | 84 | 84 | 74 | 59 | 43 | 35 |
| Low °F | 22 | 22 | 27 | 32 | 38 | 42 | 45 | 43 | 35 | 29 | 25 | 21 |
| Precip" | 2.19 | 1.72 | 2.12 | 1.49 | 1.74 | 1.30 | 0.33 | 0.35 | 0.52 | 1.56 | 2.43 | 2.59 |
💨 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 Cheney, WA?
Cheney has a cost index of 98 (100 = national average). It is 2% below the national average.
What is average rent in Cheney, WA?
The median gross rent in Cheney is $1,075 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Cheney?
The median home value in Cheney is $330,300 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Cheney?
The median household income in Cheney is $47,039 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Cheney, WA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Cheney is 9.2%. Washington has no state income tax.
Is Cheney, WA affordable?
Cheney is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 98 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Cheney?
Cheney has average high temperatures of 58.4°F and average lows of 31.6°F. Annual precipitation is 18.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Cheney at a Glance
- Population
- 12,830
- Median Income
- $47,039
- Home Value
- $330,300
- Median Rent
- $1,075/mo
- Unemployment
- 12.7%
- Avg High Temp
- 58.4°F
- Sales Tax
- 9.2%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Washington Rankings
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