Cost of Living in Steilacoom, WA

Population 6,683 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

169
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Steilacoom run well above the national baseline, with a median of $595,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $97,634 place the city among the better-paid Washington metros.

Geographically, Steilacoom sits roughly 8 miles southwest of Tacoma. Median home values run roughly 31% higher than Tacoma's $455,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 195
Rent 131

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

About the Cost of Living in Steilacoom

The median home value in Steilacoom is $594,600 — 95% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,721/month, 31% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $97,634/year is 31% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.5%, 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 59.6°F and lows of 44.3°F. Overall, Steilacoom has a cost of living index of 169 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 69% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$594,600
95% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$164,981
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,721/mo
31% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,910/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.8x
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 64.8%
Renter-occupied 35.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,721
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,335/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
32.1 min
19% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.5%
Carpooled
7.6%
Public transit
4.4%
Walked
1.3%
Work from home
19.9%

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
$97,634
31% above avg
Per Capita Income
$50,304
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
15% above avg
Poverty Rate
11.0%
Labor Force Participation
62.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.7%
Graduate degree 21.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.3
Male median age 39.9
Female median age 40.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.6°F
Avg Low
44.3°F
Annual Precip
42"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 464853586570767670595146
Low °F 363739414751545451464036
Precip" 6.064.114.633.392.081.360.680.861.544.327.185.81

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
74.8%
Good air days/yr
195
Max AQI recorded
150
PM2.5 days
213
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
10
Public schools
3,426
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Steilacoom, WA?

Steilacoom has a cost index of 169 (100 = national average). It is 69% above the national average.

What is average rent in Steilacoom, WA?

The median gross rent in Steilacoom is $1,721 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Steilacoom?

The median home value in Steilacoom is $594,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Steilacoom?

The median household income in Steilacoom is $97,634 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Steilacoom, WA?

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

Is Steilacoom, WA affordable?

Steilacoom is above average in cost of living, with an index of 169 — about 69% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Steilacoom?

Steilacoom has average high temperatures of 59.6°F and average lows of 44.3°F. Annual precipitation is 42". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Steilacoom at a Glance

Population
6,683
Median Income
$97,634
Home Value
$594,600
Median Rent
$1,721/mo
Unemployment
5.5%
Avg High Temp
59.6°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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