Cost of Living in Stanwood, WA

Population 8,351 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

157
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Stanwood sits on the smaller end of the Washington city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Located 20 miles northwest of Everett, Stanwood falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Everett's $532,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 179
Rent 124

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

About the Cost of Living in Stanwood

The median home value in Stanwood is $547,400 — 79% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,625/month, 24% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $87,477/year is 17% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, 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 59.1°F and lows of 45.1°F, with about 5.4" of annual snowfall. Overall, Stanwood has a cost of living index of 157 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 57% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$547,400
79% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$706,983
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,625/mo
24% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.1x
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 67.8%
Renter-occupied 32.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,625
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,239/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
38.2 min
41% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.8%
Carpooled
9.7%
Public transit
1.3%
Work from home
8.9%

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
$87,477
17% above avg
Per Capita Income
$41,897
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
21% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Labor Force Participation
57.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.6%
Graduate degree 6.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36
Male median age 34.7
Female median age 36.1

🌤 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 38 — Good
67.4%
Good air days/yr
175
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

90%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
11
Public schools
4,883
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Stanwood, WA?

Stanwood has a cost index of 157 (100 = national average). It is 57% above the national average.

What is average rent in Stanwood, WA?

The median gross rent in Stanwood is $1,625 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Stanwood?

The median home value in Stanwood is $547,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Stanwood?

The median household income in Stanwood is $87,477 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Stanwood, WA?

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

Is Stanwood, WA affordable?

Stanwood is above average in cost of living, with an index of 157 — about 57% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Stanwood?

Stanwood 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.

Stanwood at a Glance

Population
8,351
Median Income
$87,477
Home Value
$547,400
Median Rent
$1,625/mo
Unemployment
3.8%
Avg High Temp
59.1°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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