Cost of Living in Clarkston, WA

Population 7,240 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

69
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Clarkston 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. At 9.6%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Clarkston lies roughly 85 miles south of the nearest major metro, Spokane Valley — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 37% lower than Spokane Valley's $344,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 71
Rent 67

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

About the Cost of Living in Clarkston

The median home value in Clarkston is $216,900 — 29% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $877/month, 33% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,092/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.6%, 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 64.2°F and lows of 43.3°F, with about 12.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, Clarkston has a cost of living index of 69 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 31% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$216,900
29% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$331,227
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$877/mo
33% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.6x
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 55.2%
Renter-occupied 44.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$877
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,491/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
14.0 min
48% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.9%
Carpooled
9.1%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
3.3%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
6.8%

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
$53,092
29% below avg
Per Capita Income
$27,342
Unemployment Rate
9.6%
99% above avg
Poverty Rate
19.3%
Labor Force Participation
65.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.4%
Graduate degree 4.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35
Male median age 33.2
Female median age 37.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.2°F
Avg Low
43.3°F
Annual Precip
12.9"
Annual Snowfall
12.7"
20° 40° 60° 80° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 424755627279919080634941
Low °F 303236414854616052423530
Precip" 1.131.041.301.441.691.250.470.510.601.081.231.13
Snow" 2.73.80.80.00.00.00.00.00.00.01.34.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
51.3%
Good air days/yr
204
Max AQI recorded
359
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

78%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
9
Public schools
2,711
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Clarkston, WA?

Clarkston has a cost index of 69 (100 = national average). It is 31% below the national average.

What is average rent in Clarkston, WA?

The median gross rent in Clarkston is $877 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Clarkston?

The median home value in Clarkston is $216,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Clarkston?

The median household income in Clarkston is $53,092 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Clarkston, WA?

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

Is Clarkston, WA affordable?

Yes, Clarkston is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 69 — about 31% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Clarkston?

Clarkston has average high temperatures of 64.2°F and average lows of 43.3°F. Annual precipitation is 12.9". Average annual snowfall is 12.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Clarkston at a Glance

Population
7,240
Median Income
$53,092
Home Value
$216,900
Median Rent
$877/mo
Unemployment
9.6%
Avg High Temp
64.2°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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