Cost of Living in Lynden, WA

Population 16,025 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

157
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lynden is a smaller Washington community of around 16000 residents, where median household incomes of $94,869 and housing costs ($546,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 70 miles north of Everett, Lynden is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Housing prices track closely with Everett's $532,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 179
Rent 124

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

About the Cost of Living in Lynden

The median home value in Lynden is $546,400 — 79% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,623/month, 24% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $94,869/year is 27% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, 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 58.9°F and lows of 43.4°F. Overall, Lynden has a cost of living index of 157 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 57% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$546,400
79% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$616,773
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,623/mo
24% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,880/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.1x
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 66.2%
Renter-occupied 33.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,623
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,237/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
22.9 min
15% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.8%
Carpooled
9.4%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
0.9%
Bicycle
0.6%
Work from home
9.5%

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
$94,869
27% above avg
Per Capita Income
$43,654
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
11% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Labor Force Participation
67.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.0%
Graduate degree 9.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.9
Male median age 37.1
Female median age 35.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.9°F
Avg Low
43.4°F
Annual Precip
34.7"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 464953586468737368595146
Low °F 343538424752555550433834
Precip" 4.492.853.362.772.231.610.881.132.013.855.204.33

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 31 — Good
90.8%
Good air days/yr
94
Max AQI recorded
233
PM2.5 days
127
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

88%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
3,656
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lynden, WA?

Lynden has a cost index of 157 (100 = national average). It is 57% above the national average.

What is average rent in Lynden, WA?

The median gross rent in Lynden is $1,623 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lynden?

The median home value in Lynden is $546,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Lynden?

The median household income in Lynden is $94,869 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lynden, WA?

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

Is Lynden, WA affordable?

Lynden is above average in cost of living, with an index of 157 — about 57% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Lynden?

Lynden has average high temperatures of 58.9°F and average lows of 43.4°F. Annual precipitation is 34.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lynden at a Glance

Population
16,025
Median Income
$94,869
Home Value
$546,400
Median Rent
$1,623/mo
Unemployment
4.3%
Avg High Temp
58.9°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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