Cost of Living in Terrace Heights, WA

Population 9,480 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

98
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 Terrace Heights a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $325,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.4% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 100 miles southeast of Kent, Terrace Heights is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 40% lower than Kent's $538,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 107
Rent 86

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

About the Cost of Living in Terrace Heights

The median home value in Terrace Heights is $325,000 — 7% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,124/month, 14% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $79,525/year is 7% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.4%, 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 64.3°F and lows of 37.3°F, with about 20.3" of annual snowfall. Overall, Terrace Heights has a cost of living index of 98 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 2% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$325,000
7% above avg
Median Rent
$1,124/mo
14% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.1x
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 65.8%
Renter-occupied 34.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,124
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,738/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
20.4 min
24% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
85.2%
Carpooled
4.3%
Walked
1.1%
Bicycle
1.8%
Work from home
7.7%

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
$79,525
7% above avg
Per Capita Income
$42,238
Unemployment Rate
1.4%
71% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Labor Force Participation
62.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.3%
Graduate degree 12.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.1
Male median age 37.1
Female median age 41.5

🌤 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Terrace Heights, WA?

Terrace Heights has a cost index of 98 (100 = national average). It is 2% below the national average.

What is average rent in Terrace Heights, WA?

The median gross rent in Terrace Heights is $1,124 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Terrace Heights?

The median home value in Terrace Heights is $325,000 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Terrace Heights?

The median household income in Terrace Heights is $79,525 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Terrace Heights, WA?

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

Is Terrace Heights, WA affordable?

Terrace Heights is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 98 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Terrace Heights?

Terrace Heights 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.

Terrace Heights at a Glance

Population
9,480
Median Income
$79,525
Home Value
$325,000
Median Rent
$1,124/mo
Unemployment
1.4%
Avg High Temp
64.3°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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