Cost of Living in La Center, WA
Population 3,885 · Washington · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Home prices in La Center run well above the national baseline, with a median of $550,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $118,629 place the city among the better-paid Washington metros.
Geographically, La Center sits roughly 15 miles north of Vancouver. Median home values run roughly 25% higher than Vancouver's $440,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in La Center
The median home value in La Center is $549,900 — 80% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,947/month, 48% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $118,629/year is 59% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.5%, 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 63.2°F and lows of 42.8°F. Overall, La Center has a cost of living index of 167 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 67% more expensive.
La Center has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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 | 47 | 51 | 56 | 61 | 68 | 73 | 81 | 82 | 76 | 64 | 53 | 46 |
| Low °F | 34 | 34 | 37 | 40 | 46 | 51 | 55 | 54 | 50 | 43 | 37 | 34 |
| Precip" | 6.54 | 4.62 | 4.54 | 3.08 | 2.49 | 1.37 | 0.48 | 0.52 | 1.56 | 3.60 | 6.26 | 7.25 |
💨 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 La Center, WA?
La Center has a cost index of 167 (100 = national average). It is 67% above the national average.
What is average rent in La Center, WA?
The median gross rent in La Center is $1,947 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in La Center?
The median home value in La Center is $549,900 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in La Center?
The median household income in La Center is $118,629 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in La Center, WA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in La Center is 9.2%. Washington has no state income tax.
Is La Center, WA affordable?
La Center is above average in cost of living, with an index of 167 — about 67% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in La Center?
La Center has average high temperatures of 63.2°F and average lows of 42.8°F. Annual precipitation is 42.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
La Center at a Glance
- Population
- 3,885
- Median Income
- $118,629
- Home Value
- $549,900
- Median Rent
- $1,947/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.5%
- Avg High Temp
- 63.2°F
- Sales Tax
- 9.2%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Washington Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs