Cost of Living in Ellensburg, WA
Population 18,913 · Washington · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Ellensburg a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $358,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.6% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Located 85 miles east of Kent, Ellensburg is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 33% lower than Kent's $538,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Ellensburg
The median home value in Ellensburg is $357,800 — 17% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,258/month, 4% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,888/year is 33% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.6%, 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 61.6°F and lows of 38.6°F. Overall, Ellensburg has a cost of living index of 109 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 9% more 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 | 37 | 44 | 53 | 61 | 71 | 77 | 86 | 87 | 78 | 62 | 47 | 36 |
| Low °F | 24 | 27 | 31 | 37 | 45 | 51 | 57 | 56 | 47 | 37 | 29 | 24 |
| Precip" | 1.23 | 0.78 | 0.81 | 0.68 | 0.92 | 0.55 | 0.23 | 0.17 | 0.37 | 0.83 | 1.05 | 1.54 |
💨 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 Ellensburg, WA?
Ellensburg has a cost index of 109 (100 = national average). It is 9% above the national average.
What is average rent in Ellensburg, WA?
The median gross rent in Ellensburg is $1,258 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Ellensburg?
The median home value in Ellensburg is $357,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Ellensburg?
The median household income in Ellensburg is $49,888 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Ellensburg, WA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ellensburg is 9.2%. Washington has no state income tax.
Is Ellensburg, WA affordable?
Ellensburg is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 109 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Ellensburg?
Ellensburg has average high temperatures of 61.6°F and average lows of 38.6°F. Annual precipitation is 9.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Ellensburg at a Glance
- Population
- 18,913
- Median Income
- $49,888
- Home Value
- $357,800
- Median Rent
- $1,258/mo
- Unemployment
- 7.6%
- Avg High Temp
- 61.6°F
- Sales Tax
- 9.2%
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Washington Rankings
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