Cost of Living in Granite Falls, WA

Population 4,658 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

155
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Granite Falls is a smaller Washington community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $100,720 and housing costs ($520,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 0.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Granite Falls sits roughly 13 miles northeast of Everett. Housing prices track closely with Everett's $532,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 170
Rent 131

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

About the Cost of Living in Granite Falls

The median home value in Granite Falls is $519,800 — 70% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,725/month, 31% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $100,720/year is 35% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.7%, 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 57.9°F and lows of 44.9°F. Overall, Granite Falls has a cost of living index of 155 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 55% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$519,800
70% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$578,156
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,725/mo
31% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.1x
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 79.3%
Renter-occupied 20.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,725
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,339/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
40.7 min
51% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.1%
Carpooled
2.3%
Walked
2.5%
Bicycle
1.9%
Work from home
12.6%

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
$100,720
35% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,101
Unemployment Rate
0.7%
85% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Labor Force Participation
70.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.7%
Graduate degree 6.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.2
Male median age 36.6
Female median age 33.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.9°F
Avg Low
44.9°F
Annual Precip
33.4"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 464852566366727368585045
Low °F 373739434851555552464036
Precip" 3.892.843.632.672.111.890.840.981.683.354.974.52

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 38 — Good
67.4%
Good air days/yr
175
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

67%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
2,168
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Granite Falls, WA?

Granite Falls has a cost index of 155 (100 = national average). It is 55% above the national average.

What is average rent in Granite Falls, WA?

The median gross rent in Granite Falls is $1,725 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Granite Falls?

The median home value in Granite Falls is $519,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Granite Falls?

The median household income in Granite Falls is $100,720 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Granite Falls, WA?

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

Is Granite Falls, WA affordable?

Granite Falls is above average in cost of living, with an index of 155 — about 55% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Granite Falls?

Granite Falls has average high temperatures of 57.9°F and average lows of 44.9°F. Annual precipitation is 33.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Granite Falls at a Glance

Population
4,658
Median Income
$100,720
Home Value
$519,800
Median Rent
$1,725/mo
Unemployment
0.7%
Avg High Temp
57.9°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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