Cost of Living in Graham, WA

Population 35,090 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

159
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

A 45-minute average commute puts Graham squarely in exurban territory — the kind of place where many households optimize for housing cost over proximity to work. Home values of $473,000 reflect that spatial discount.

Geographically, Graham sits roughly 15 miles southeast of Tacoma. Housing prices track closely with Tacoma's $455,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 155
Rent 165

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

About the Cost of Living in Graham

The median home value in Graham is $472,800 — 55% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,172/month, 65% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $115,501/year is 55% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.9%, 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, Graham has a cost of living index of 159 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 59% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$472,800
55% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$591,610
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,172/mo
65% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,516/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1x
Favors buying
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 81.8%
Renter-occupied 18.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,172
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,786/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
45.2 min
67% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.1%
Carpooled
9.9%
Public transit
1.5%
Walked
0.2%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
10.5%

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
$115,501
55% above avg
Per Capita Income
$39,689
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
23% above avg
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Labor Force Participation
67.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.7%
Graduate degree 6.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.1
Male median age 33.5
Female median age 36.9

🌤 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 Graham, WA?

Graham has a cost index of 159 (100 = national average). It is 59% above the national average.

What is average rent in Graham, WA?

The median gross rent in Graham is $2,172 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Graham?

The median home value in Graham is $472,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Graham?

The median household income in Graham is $115,501 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Graham, WA?

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

Is Graham, WA affordable?

Graham is above average in cost of living, with an index of 159 — about 59% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Graham?

Graham 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.

Graham at a Glance

Population
35,090
Median Income
$115,501
Home Value
$472,800
Median Rent
$2,172/mo
Unemployment
5.9%
Avg High Temp
59.6°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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🗺️ County data for Washington

Explore county-level cost of living data

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