Cost of Living in Medical Lake, WA

Population 4,927 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

90
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 Medical Lake a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $333,000. An unemployment rate of 1.4% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Medical Lake sits roughly 14 miles west of Spokane. Housing prices track closely with Spokane's $326,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 109
Rent 61

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

About the Cost of Living in Medical Lake

The median home value in Medical Lake is $333,000 — 9% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $795/month, 39% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $74,426/year is equal to than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.4%, 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 58.0°F and lows of 39.2°F, with about 45.4" of annual snowfall. Overall, Medical Lake has a cost of living index of 90 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$333,000
9% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$834,234
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$795/mo
39% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,387/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
34.9x
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 68.9%
Renter-occupied 31.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$795
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,409/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
22.6 min
16% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.6%
Carpooled
7.5%
Public transit
3.9%
Walked
1.8%
Work from home
10.2%

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
$74,426
0% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,431
Unemployment Rate
1.4%
70% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Labor Force Participation
56.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 27.1%
Graduate degree 4.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.1
Male median age 33.7
Female median age 39.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.0°F
Avg Low
39.2°F
Annual Precip
16.4"
Annual Snowfall
45.4"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 354049576774848474584234
Low °F 252632374551585749383024
Precip" 1.971.441.831.251.551.170.420.470.581.372.062.34
Snow" 12.37.83.90.70.10.00.00.00.10.56.213.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
70.4%
Good air days/yr
447
Max AQI recorded
232
PM2.5 days
127
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
1,998
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Medical Lake, WA?

Medical Lake has a cost index of 90 (100 = national average). It is 10% below the national average.

What is average rent in Medical Lake, WA?

The median gross rent in Medical Lake is $795 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Medical Lake?

The median home value in Medical Lake is $333,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Medical Lake?

The median household income in Medical Lake is $74,426 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Medical Lake, WA?

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

Is Medical Lake, WA affordable?

Medical Lake is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 90 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Medical Lake?

Medical Lake has average high temperatures of 58.0°F and average lows of 39.2°F. Annual precipitation is 16.4". Average annual snowfall is 45.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Medical Lake at a Glance

Population
4,927
Median Income
$74,426
Home Value
$333,000
Median Rent
$795/mo
Unemployment
1.4%
Avg High Temp
58.0°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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