Cost of Living in Othello, WA

Population 8,699 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

86
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 Othello a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $279,000. Around 24% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Geographically, Othello lies roughly 100 miles southwest of the nearest major metro, Spokane. Median home values run roughly 15% lower than Spokane's $326,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 91
Rent 79

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

About the Cost of Living in Othello

The median home value in Othello is $278,600 — 9% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,041/month, 21% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $65,757/year is 12% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.6%, 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 62.9°F and lows of 38.9°F. Overall, Othello has a cost of living index of 86 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$278,600
9% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$333,977
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,041/mo
21% below avg
Zillow Rent
$2,351/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.3x
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 56.4%
Renter-occupied 43.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,041
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,655/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
21.1 min
22% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.8%
Carpooled
16.7%
Walked
3.4%
Work from home
5.3%

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
$65,757
12% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,284
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
16% above avg
Poverty Rate
23.8%
Labor Force Participation
63.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.2%
Graduate degree 4.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 24.6
Male median age 23.9
Female median age 25.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
62.9°F
Avg Low
38.9°F
Annual Precip
7.8"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 364455647480908879634636
Low °F 242732374552575647372924
Precip" 1.020.650.730.650.720.730.260.150.260.660.871.11

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 21 — Good
90.4%
Good air days/yr
267
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

77%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
4,804
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Othello, WA?

Othello has a cost index of 86 (100 = national average). It is 14% below the national average.

What is average rent in Othello, WA?

The median gross rent in Othello is $1,041 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Othello?

The median home value in Othello is $278,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Othello?

The median household income in Othello is $65,757 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Othello, WA?

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

Is Othello, WA affordable?

Yes, Othello is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 86 — about 14% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Othello?

Othello has average high temperatures of 62.9°F and average lows of 38.9°F. Annual precipitation is 7.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Othello at a Glance

Population
8,699
Median Income
$65,757
Home Value
$278,600
Median Rent
$1,041/mo
Unemployment
5.6%
Avg High Temp
62.9°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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