Cost of Living in Mead, WA
Population 7,184 · Washington · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Mead a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $380,000. At 9.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.
Located 9 miles northeast of Spokane, Mead falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 16% higher than Spokane's $326,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Mead
The median home value in Mead is $379,600 — 24% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,216/month, 7% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $76,010/year is 2% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.2%, above the national average of 4.8%. Washington charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 60.7°F and lows of 38.9°F. Overall, Mead has a cost of living index of 112 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 12% more expensive.
Mead 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 | 38 | 43 | 51 | 60 | 70 | 76 | 87 | 86 | 76 | 60 | 45 | 37 |
| Low °F | 26 | 27 | 32 | 37 | 44 | 50 | 56 | 55 | 47 | 38 | 31 | 26 |
| Precip" | 2.00 | 1.32 | 1.82 | 1.50 | 1.70 | 1.48 | 0.67 | 0.54 | 0.68 | 1.46 | 2.01 | 2.18 |
💨 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 Mead, WA?
Mead has a cost index of 112 (100 = national average). It is 12% above the national average.
What is average rent in Mead, WA?
The median gross rent in Mead is $1,216 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Mead?
The median home value in Mead is $379,600 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Mead?
The median household income in Mead is $76,010 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Mead, WA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Mead is 9.2%. Washington has no state income tax.
Is Mead, WA affordable?
Mead is above average in cost of living, with an index of 112 — about 12% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Mead?
Mead has average high temperatures of 60.7°F and average lows of 38.9°F. Annual precipitation is 17.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Mead at a Glance
- Population
- 7,184
- Median Income
- $76,010
- Home Value
- $379,600
- Median Rent
- $1,216/mo
- Unemployment
- 9.2%
- Avg High Temp
- 60.7°F
- Sales Tax
- 9.2%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Washington Rankings
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