Cost of Living in Sumner, WA

Population 10,674 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

152
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Sumner a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $479,000.

Geographically, Sumner sits roughly 11 miles east of Tacoma. Housing prices track closely with Tacoma's $455,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 157
Rent 144

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

About the Cost of Living in Sumner

The median home value in Sumner is $478,500 — 57% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,886/month, 44% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $98,376/year is 32% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.9%, 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, Sumner has a cost of living index of 152 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 52% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$478,500
57% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$585,631
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,886/mo
44% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,067/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1x
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 49.8%
Renter-occupied 50.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,886
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,500/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
33.0 min
22% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.7%
Carpooled
9.1%
Public transit
1.5%
Walked
4.7%
Work from home
10.5%

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
$98,376
32% above avg
Per Capita Income
$46,138
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
23% above avg
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Labor Force Participation
67.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.8%
Graduate degree 7.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.1
Male median age 33.3
Female median age 37.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.3°F
Avg Low
46.1°F
Annual Precip
39.3"
Annual Snowfall
6.3"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 485054596671777872615247
Low °F 383840434953575754474137
Precip" 5.783.764.173.181.881.450.600.971.613.916.315.72
Snow" 1.82.20.40.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.21.7

💨 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

93%
4-Year Graduation Rate
20.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
15
Public schools
10,302
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sumner, WA?

Sumner has a cost index of 152 (100 = national average). It is 52% above the national average.

What is average rent in Sumner, WA?

The median gross rent in Sumner is $1,886 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sumner?

The median home value in Sumner is $478,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sumner?

The median household income in Sumner is $98,376 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sumner, WA?

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

Is Sumner, WA affordable?

Sumner 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 Sumner?

Sumner 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.

Sumner at a Glance

Population
10,674
Median Income
$98,376
Home Value
$478,500
Median Rent
$1,886/mo
Unemployment
5.9%
Avg High Temp
61.3°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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