Cost of Living in Marietta-Alderwood, WA

Population 3,569 · 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

Under 25,000 residents gives Marietta-Alderwood a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $493,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.1% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 60 miles northwest of Everett, Marietta-Alderwood 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 162
Rent 110

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

About the Cost of Living in Marietta-Alderwood

The median home value in Marietta-Alderwood is $493,200 — 62% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,450/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $62,243/year is 17% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, 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 58.9°F and lows of 43.4°F. Overall, Marietta-Alderwood has a cost of living index of 141 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 41% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$493,200
62% above avg
Median Rent
$1,450/mo
10% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.3x
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 49.3%
Renter-occupied 50.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,450
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,064/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
17.6 min
35% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
84.3%
Carpooled
4.6%
Walked
0.9%
Bicycle
1.5%
Work from home
8.7%

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
$62,243
17% below avg
Per Capita Income
$46,807
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
56% below avg
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Labor Force Participation
67.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.0%
Graduate degree 9.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.5
Male median age 41.4
Female median age 35.5

🌤 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Marietta-Alderwood, WA?

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

What is average rent in Marietta-Alderwood, WA?

The median gross rent in Marietta-Alderwood is $1,450 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Marietta-Alderwood?

The median home value in Marietta-Alderwood is $493,200 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Marietta-Alderwood?

The median household income in Marietta-Alderwood is $62,243 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Marietta-Alderwood, WA?

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

Is Marietta-Alderwood, WA affordable?

Marietta-Alderwood 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 Marietta-Alderwood?

Marietta-Alderwood 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.

Marietta-Alderwood at a Glance

Population
3,569
Median Income
$62,243
Home Value
$493,200
Median Rent
$1,450/mo
Unemployment
2.1%
Avg High Temp
58.9°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
View all cities in Washington →
🗺️ County data for Washington

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs