Cost of Living in Mount Vernon, WA

Population 35,312 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

123
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Mount Vernon cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $429,000, rents near $1,255 a month.

Geographically, Mount Vernon is about 30 miles north of Everett, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 19% lower than Everett's $532,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 141
Rent 96

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

About the Cost of Living in Mount Vernon

The median home value in Mount Vernon is $429,300 — 41% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,255/month, 4% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,277/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.1%, 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 59.1°F and lows of 45.1°F, with about 5.4" of annual snowfall. Overall, Mount Vernon has a cost of living index of 123 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 23% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$429,300
41% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$579,528
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,255/mo
4% below avg
Zillow Rent
$2,011/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.5x
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 62.2%
Renter-occupied 37.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,255
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,869/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
24.7 min
9% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.8%
Carpooled
10.1%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
1.9%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
11.9%

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
$73,277
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,646
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
6% above avg
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Labor Force Participation
61.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.5%
Graduate degree 10.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.1
Male median age 35
Female median age 37.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.1°F
Avg Low
45.1°F
Annual Precip
19.9"
Annual Snowfall
5.4"
30° 40° 50° 60° 70° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 495155586266697067605449
Low °F 383740434852545450464138
Precip" 2.431.631.681.691.691.120.630.851.082.043.131.95
Snow" 1.11.00.60.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.32.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 30 — Good
92.1%
Good air days/yr
93
Max AQI recorded
285
PM2.5 days
80
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

77%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
14
Public schools
7,383
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mount Vernon, WA?

Mount Vernon has a cost index of 123 (100 = national average). It is 23% above the national average.

What is average rent in Mount Vernon, WA?

The median gross rent in Mount Vernon is $1,255 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mount Vernon?

The median home value in Mount Vernon is $429,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mount Vernon?

The median household income in Mount Vernon is $73,277 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mount Vernon, WA?

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

Is Mount Vernon, WA affordable?

Mount Vernon is above average in cost of living, with an index of 123 — about 23% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Mount Vernon?

Mount Vernon has average high temperatures of 59.1°F and average lows of 45.1°F. Annual precipitation is 19.9". Average annual snowfall is 5.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Mount Vernon at a Glance

Population
35,312
Median Income
$73,277
Home Value
$429,300
Median Rent
$1,255/mo
Unemployment
5.1%
Avg High Temp
59.1°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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