Cost of Living in Sunnyside, WA

Population 16,329 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

73
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Sunnyside 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. At 10.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Sunnyside lies roughly 130 miles southeast of the nearest major metro, Kent. Median home values run roughly 61% lower than Kent's $538,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 68
Rent 81

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

About the Cost of Living in Sunnyside

The median home value in Sunnyside is $207,200 — 32% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,065/month, 19% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,350/year is 28% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.2%, 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 64.3°F and lows of 37.3°F, with about 20.3" of annual snowfall. Overall, Sunnyside has a cost of living index of 73 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$207,200
32% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$316,636
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,065/mo
19% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2x
Favors buying
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 59.8%
Renter-occupied 40.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,065
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,679/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
24.4 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.3%
Carpooled
17.4%
Walked
1.2%
Work from home
2.4%

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
$53,350
28% below avg
Per Capita Income
$18,554
Unemployment Rate
10.2%
113% above avg
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Labor Force Participation
62.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 4.8%
Graduate degree 4.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 27.2
Male median age 24.9
Female median age 28.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.3°F
Avg Low
37.3°F
Annual Precip
8"
Annual Snowfall
20.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404757657481908979644938
Low °F 242630354450555345352723
Precip" 1.190.810.640.550.740.500.200.210.230.640.861.44
Snow" 6.22.70.60.00.00.00.00.00.00.13.07.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
55.6%
Good air days/yr
233
Max AQI recorded
363
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

86%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
9
Public schools
6,799
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sunnyside, WA?

Sunnyside has a cost index of 73 (100 = national average). It is 27% below the national average.

What is average rent in Sunnyside, WA?

The median gross rent in Sunnyside is $1,065 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sunnyside?

The median home value in Sunnyside is $207,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sunnyside?

The median household income in Sunnyside is $53,350 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sunnyside, WA?

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

Is Sunnyside, WA affordable?

Yes, Sunnyside is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 73 — about 27% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Sunnyside?

Sunnyside has average high temperatures of 64.3°F and average lows of 37.3°F. Annual precipitation is 8". Average annual snowfall is 20.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Sunnyside at a Glance

Population
16,329
Median Income
$53,350
Home Value
$207,200
Median Rent
$1,065/mo
Unemployment
10.2%
Avg High Temp
64.3°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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