Cost of Living in Sultan, WA

Population 5,770 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

139
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Sultan 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. An unemployment rate of 2.6% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Sultan sits roughly 20 miles east of Everett. Median home values run roughly 14% lower than Everett's $532,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 149
Rent 122

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

About the Cost of Living in Sultan

The median home value in Sultan is $455,500 — 49% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,607/month, 22% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $85,278/year is 14% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.6%, 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 57.9°F and lows of 44.9°F. Overall, Sultan has a cost of living index of 139 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$455,500
49% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$235,030
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,607/mo
22% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,000/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.6x
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 84.8%
Renter-occupied 15.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,607
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,221/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
40.7 min
51% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.6%
Carpooled
11.8%
Public transit
0.5%
Work from home
17.4%

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
$85,278
14% above avg
Per Capita Income
$37,990
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
47% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.2%
Labor Force Participation
66.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.3%
Graduate degree 10.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.1
Male median age 36.8
Female median age 38.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.9°F
Avg Low
44.9°F
Annual Precip
33.4"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 464852566366727368585045
Low °F 373739434851555552464036
Precip" 3.892.843.632.672.111.890.840.981.683.354.974.52

💨 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

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
1,988
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sultan, WA?

Sultan has a cost index of 139 (100 = national average). It is 39% above the national average.

What is average rent in Sultan, WA?

The median gross rent in Sultan is $1,607 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sultan?

The median home value in Sultan is $455,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sultan?

The median household income in Sultan is $85,278 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sultan, WA?

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

Is Sultan, WA affordable?

Sultan is above average in cost of living, with an index of 139 — about 39% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Sultan?

Sultan has average high temperatures of 57.9°F and average lows of 44.9°F. Annual precipitation is 33.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Sultan at a Glance

Population
5,770
Median Income
$85,278
Home Value
$455,500
Median Rent
$1,607/mo
Unemployment
2.6%
Avg High Temp
57.9°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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