Cost of Living in Prairie Heights, WA
Population 4,817 · Washington · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Prairie Heights a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $486,000.
Located 15 miles southeast of Kent, Prairie Heights falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 10% lower than Kent's $538,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Prairie Heights
The median home value in Prairie Heights is $485,800 — 59% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,859/month, 41% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $129,438/year is 74% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.4%, 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 61.3°F and lows of 46.1°F, with about 6.3" of annual snowfall. Overall, Prairie Heights has a cost of living index of 152 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 52% more expensive.
Prairie Heights 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 | 48 | 50 | 54 | 59 | 66 | 71 | 77 | 78 | 72 | 61 | 52 | 47 |
| Low °F | 38 | 38 | 40 | 43 | 49 | 53 | 57 | 57 | 54 | 47 | 41 | 37 |
| Precip" | 5.78 | 3.76 | 4.17 | 3.18 | 1.88 | 1.45 | 0.60 | 0.97 | 1.61 | 3.91 | 6.31 | 5.72 |
| Snow" | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.7 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Prairie Heights, WA?
Prairie Heights has a cost index of 152 (100 = national average). It is 52% above the national average.
What is average rent in Prairie Heights, WA?
The median gross rent in Prairie Heights is $1,859 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Prairie Heights?
The median home value in Prairie Heights is $485,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Prairie Heights?
The median household income in Prairie Heights is $129,438 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Prairie Heights, WA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Prairie Heights is 9.2%. Washington has no state income tax.
Is Prairie Heights, WA affordable?
Prairie Heights is above average in cost of living, with an index of 152 — about 52% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Prairie Heights?
Prairie Heights has average high temperatures of 61.3°F and average lows of 46.1°F. Annual precipitation is 39.3". Average annual snowfall is 6.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Prairie Heights at a Glance
- Population
- 4,817
- Median Income
- $129,438
- Home Value
- $485,800
- Median Rent
- $1,859/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.4%
- Avg High Temp
- 61.3°F
- Sales Tax
- 9.2%
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Washington Rankings
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