Cost of Living in Manchester, WA

Population 6,018 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

141
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Manchester is a smaller Washington community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $108,242 and housing costs ($465,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 1.9% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 10 miles west of Seattle, Manchester falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 49% lower than Seattle's $912,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 152
Rent 125

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

About the Cost of Living in Manchester

The median home value in Manchester is $464,500 — 52% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,643/month, 25% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $108,242/year is 45% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.9%, 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 61.6°F and lows of 46.0°F. Overall, Manchester has a cost of living index of 141 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 41% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$464,500
52% above avg
Median Rent
$1,643/mo
25% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.6x
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 79.5%
Renter-occupied 20.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,643
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,257/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
36.6 min
36% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.8%
Carpooled
4.6%
Public transit
8.5%
Work from home
10.8%

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
$108,242
45% above avg
Per Capita Income
$45,446
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
61% below avg
Poverty Rate
15.0%
Labor Force Participation
63.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.2%
Graduate degree 11.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.4
Male median age 42.1
Female median age 39.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.6°F
Avg Low
46.0°F
Annual Precip
36.5"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 495155606771777772615348
Low °F 373739444954585854464036
Precip" 5.213.713.942.891.981.220.560.831.373.495.805.49

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 22 — Good
92.6%
Good air days/yr
115
Max AQI recorded
349
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Manchester, WA?

Manchester has a cost index of 141 (100 = national average). It is 41% above the national average.

What is average rent in Manchester, WA?

The median gross rent in Manchester is $1,643 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Manchester?

The median home value in Manchester is $464,500 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Manchester?

The median household income in Manchester is $108,242 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Manchester, WA?

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

Is Manchester, WA affordable?

Manchester is above average in cost of living, with an index of 141 — about 41% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Manchester?

Manchester has average high temperatures of 61.6°F and average lows of 46.0°F. Annual precipitation is 36.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Manchester at a Glance

Population
6,018
Median Income
$108,242
Home Value
$464,500
Median Rent
$1,643/mo
Unemployment
1.9%
Avg High Temp
61.6°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
View all cities in Washington →
🗺️ County data for Washington

Explore county-level cost of living data

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