Cost of Living in Tukwila, WA

Population 21,479 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

145
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Tukwila 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. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.4% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Tukwila is part of the immediate Renton metro area. Median home values run roughly 27% lower than Renton's $631,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 152
Rent 136

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

About the Cost of Living in Tukwila

The median home value in Tukwila is $462,800 — 52% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,786/month, 36% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $80,534/year is 8% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.4%, 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, Tukwila has a cost of living index of 145 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 45% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$462,800
52% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$562,084
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,786/mo
36% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,028/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.6x
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 40.4%
Renter-occupied 59.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,786
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,400/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
28.6 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.8%
Carpooled
9.1%
Public transit
9.2%
Walked
0.1%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
12.1%

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
$80,534
8% above avg
Per Capita Income
$38,521
Unemployment Rate
6.4%
33% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Labor Force Participation
72.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.2%
Graduate degree 6.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35
Male median age 35.6
Female median age 34.2

🌤 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 46 — Good
58.6%
Good air days/yr
165
Max AQI recorded
273
PM2.5 days
86
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

84%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
3,022
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Tukwila, WA?

Tukwila has a cost index of 145 (100 = national average). It is 45% above the national average.

What is average rent in Tukwila, WA?

The median gross rent in Tukwila is $1,786 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Tukwila?

The median home value in Tukwila is $462,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Tukwila?

The median household income in Tukwila is $80,534 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Tukwila, WA?

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

Is Tukwila, WA affordable?

Tukwila is above average in cost of living, with an index of 145 — about 45% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Tukwila?

Tukwila 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.

Tukwila at a Glance

Population
21,479
Median Income
$80,534
Home Value
$462,800
Median Rent
$1,786/mo
Unemployment
6.4%
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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