Cost of Living in Fircrest, WA

Population 7,082 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

154
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Fircrest run well above the national baseline, with a median of $555,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $107,781 place the city among the better-paid Washington metros. At 7.1%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Fircrest is part of the immediate Tacoma metro area. Median home values run roughly 22% higher than Tacoma's $455,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 182
Rent 111

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

About the Cost of Living in Fircrest

The median home value in Fircrest is $554,600 — 82% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,459/month, 11% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $107,781/year is 45% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.1%, 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 59.6°F and lows of 44.3°F. Overall, Fircrest has a cost of living index of 154 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 54% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$554,600
82% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$121,394
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,459/mo
11% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
31.7x
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 70.4%
Renter-occupied 29.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,459
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,073/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
23.2 min
14% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.0%
Carpooled
4.9%
Public transit
1.1%
Walked
1.6%
Work from home
17.2%

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
$107,781
45% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,109
Unemployment Rate
7.1%
47% above avg
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Labor Force Participation
71.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.3%
Graduate degree 23.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.9
Male median age 46.1
Female median age 43.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.6°F
Avg Low
44.3°F
Annual Precip
42"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 464853586570767670595146
Low °F 363739414751545451464036
Precip" 6.064.114.633.392.081.360.680.861.544.327.185.81

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
74.8%
Good air days/yr
195
Max AQI recorded
150
PM2.5 days
213
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fircrest, WA?

Fircrest has a cost index of 154 (100 = national average). It is 54% above the national average.

What is average rent in Fircrest, WA?

The median gross rent in Fircrest is $1,459 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fircrest?

The median home value in Fircrest is $554,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Fircrest?

The median household income in Fircrest is $107,781 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fircrest, WA?

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

Is Fircrest, WA affordable?

Fircrest is above average in cost of living, with an index of 154 — about 54% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Fircrest?

Fircrest has average high temperatures of 59.6°F and average lows of 44.3°F. Annual precipitation is 42". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fircrest at a Glance

Population
7,082
Median Income
$107,781
Home Value
$554,600
Median Rent
$1,459/mo
Unemployment
7.1%
Avg High Temp
59.6°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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