Cost of Living in Cottage Lake, WA

Population 23,170 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

301
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Cottage Lake run well above the national baseline, with a median of $1.2 million, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $197,331 place the city among the better-paid Washington metros.

Geographically, Cottage Lake sits roughly 11 miles northeast of Bellevue. Housing prices track closely with Bellevue's $1.2 million median.

Cost Overview

Housing 382
Rent 181

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

About the Cost of Living in Cottage Lake

The median home value in Cottage Lake is $1,164,000 — 282% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,374/month, 81% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $197,331/year is 165% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, 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 60.8°F and lows of 45.7°F, with about 3.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Cottage Lake has a cost of living index of 301 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 201% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$1,164,000
282% above avg
Median Rent
$2,374/mo
81% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
40.9x
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 91.7%
Renter-occupied 8.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,374
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,988/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
29.8 min
10% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
30.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
61.7%
Carpooled
5.3%
Public transit
0.9%
Walked
0.3%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
30.2%

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
$197,331
165% above avg
Per Capita Income
$87,194
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
22% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Labor Force Participation
61.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 41.0%
Graduate degree 26.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.2
Male median age 44
Female median age 44.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
60.8°F
Avg Low
45.7°F
Annual Precip
37.8"
Annual Snowfall
3.8"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 475054596570777771615247
Low °F 373739434853575753474137
Precip" 5.143.543.862.982.161.570.781.001.743.655.855.55
Snow" 0.91.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.21.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
58.6%
Good air days/yr
165
Max AQI recorded
273
PM2.5 days
86
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cottage Lake, WA?

Cottage Lake has a cost index of 301 (100 = national average). It is 201% above the national average.

What is average rent in Cottage Lake, WA?

The median gross rent in Cottage Lake is $2,374 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cottage Lake?

The median home value in Cottage Lake is $1,164,000 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Cottage Lake?

The median household income in Cottage Lake is $197,331 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cottage Lake, WA?

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

Is Cottage Lake, WA affordable?

Cottage Lake is above average in cost of living, with an index of 301 — about 201% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Cottage Lake?

Cottage Lake has average high temperatures of 60.8°F and average lows of 45.7°F. Annual precipitation is 37.8". Average annual snowfall is 3.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Cottage Lake at a Glance

Population
23,170
Median Income
$197,331
Home Value
$1,164,000
Median Rent
$2,374/mo
Unemployment
3.8%
Avg High Temp
60.8°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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🗺️ County data for Washington

Explore county-level cost of living data

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