Cost of Living in Richland, WA

Population 61,912 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

122
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Most of Richland's cost indicators track within a reasonable band of national figures, with median household incomes near $92,550 — a more representative starting point for relocation math than the headline-expensive or headline-cheap cities on either tail.

Located 130 miles southwest of Spokane, Richland is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 23% higher than Spokane's $326,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 132
Rent 106

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

About the Cost of Living in Richland

The median home value in Richland is $401,800 — 32% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,397/month, 6% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $92,550/year is 24% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.0%, 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 66.3°F and lows of 40.4°F. Overall, Richland has a cost of living index of 122 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 22% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$401,800
32% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$460,976
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,397/mo
6% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,666/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.0x
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 65.1%
Renter-occupied 34.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,397
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,011/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
21.9 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.5%
Carpooled
7.3%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
1.5%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
14.3%

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
$92,550
24% above avg
Per Capita Income
$50,656
Unemployment Rate
5.0%
4% above avg
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Labor Force Participation
62.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.2%
Graduate degree 19.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.4
Male median age 34.6
Female median age 38.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
66.3°F
Avg Low
40.4°F
Annual Precip
7.6"
20° 40° 60° 80° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 414959677783939181665041
Low °F 282833384653575648383227
Precip" 1.030.630.690.660.710.610.150.270.310.660.871.03

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
71.8%
Good air days/yr
261
Max AQI recorded
228
PM2.5 days
117
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
21
Public schools
14,221
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Richland, WA?

Richland has a cost index of 122 (100 = national average). It is 22% above the national average.

What is average rent in Richland, WA?

The median gross rent in Richland is $1,397 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Richland?

The median home value in Richland is $401,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Richland?

The median household income in Richland is $92,550 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Richland, WA?

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

Is Richland, WA affordable?

Richland is above average in cost of living, with an index of 122 — about 22% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Richland?

Richland has average high temperatures of 66.3°F and average lows of 40.4°F. Annual precipitation is 7.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Richland at a Glance

Population
61,912
Median Income
$92,550
Home Value
$401,800
Median Rent
$1,397/mo
Unemployment
5.0%
Avg High Temp
66.3°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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🗺️ County data for Washington

Explore county-level cost of living data

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