Cost of Living in Issaquah, WA

Population 39,472 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

259
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Issaquah run well above the national baseline, with a median of $934,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $153,786 place the city among the better-paid Washington metros.

Geographically, Issaquah sits roughly 6 miles southeast of Bellevue. Median home values run roughly 22% lower than Bellevue's $1.2 million.

Cost Overview

Housing 306
Rent 189

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

About the Cost of Living in Issaquah

The median home value in Issaquah is $934,100 — 206% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,484/month, 89% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $153,786/year is 106% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.1%, 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 61.4°F and lows of 45.9°F. Overall, Issaquah has a cost of living index of 259 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 159% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$934,100
206% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$1,137,897
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,484/mo
89% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,693/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
31.3x
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 58.7%
Renter-occupied 41.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,484
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $3,098/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
29.5 min
9% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
36.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
49.7%
Carpooled
6.8%
Public transit
3.5%
Walked
1.7%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
36.7%

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
$153,786
106% above avg
Per Capita Income
$89,767
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
36% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Labor Force Participation
71.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 39.0%
Graduate degree 30.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.2
Male median age 37.5
Female median age 36.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.4°F
Avg Low
45.9°F
Annual Precip
34.7"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 485055606671777872615247
Low °F 373740434954585753464037
Precip" 4.933.213.742.831.861.470.600.891.533.495.614.53

💨 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
28
Public schools
21,358
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Issaquah, WA?

Issaquah has a cost index of 259 (100 = national average). It is 159% above the national average.

What is average rent in Issaquah, WA?

The median gross rent in Issaquah is $2,484 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Issaquah?

The median home value in Issaquah is $934,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Issaquah?

The median household income in Issaquah is $153,786 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Issaquah, WA?

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

Is Issaquah, WA affordable?

Issaquah is above average in cost of living, with an index of 259 — about 159% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Issaquah?

Issaquah has average high temperatures of 61.4°F and average lows of 45.9°F. Annual precipitation is 34.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Issaquah at a Glance

Population
39,472
Median Income
$153,786
Home Value
$934,100
Median Rent
$2,484/mo
Unemployment
3.1%
Avg High Temp
61.4°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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