Cost of Living in Waller, WA

Population 7,857 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

149
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Waller is a smaller Washington community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $118,077 and housing costs ($481,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Geographically, Waller sits roughly 5 miles southeast of Tacoma. Housing prices track closely with Tacoma's $455,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 158
Rent 136

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

About the Cost of Living in Waller

The median home value in Waller is $481,200 — 58% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,785/month, 36% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $118,077/year is 58% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.1%, 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 59.6°F and lows of 44.3°F. Overall, Waller has a cost of living index of 149 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$481,200
58% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$581,341
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,785/mo
36% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.5x
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 84.7%
Renter-occupied 15.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,785
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,399/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
34.8 min
29% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.8%
Carpooled
9.7%
Public transit
2.8%
Walked
1.3%
Work from home
16.4%

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
$118,077
58% above avg
Per Capita Income
$50,821
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
36% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Labor Force Participation
63.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.6%
Graduate degree 6.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.2
Male median age 41.1
Female median age 41.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.6°F
Avg Low
44.3°F
Annual Precip
42"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 464853586570767670595146
Low °F 363739414751545451464036
Precip" 6.064.114.633.392.081.360.680.861.544.327.185.81

💨 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Waller, WA?

Waller has a cost index of 149 (100 = national average). It is 49% above the national average.

What is average rent in Waller, WA?

The median gross rent in Waller is $1,785 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Waller?

The median home value in Waller is $481,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Waller?

The median household income in Waller is $118,077 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Waller, WA?

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

Is Waller, WA affordable?

Waller is above average in cost of living, with an index of 149 — about 49% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Waller?

Waller has average high temperatures of 59.6°F and average lows of 44.3°F. Annual precipitation is 42". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Waller at a Glance

Population
7,857
Median Income
$118,077
Home Value
$481,200
Median Rent
$1,785/mo
Unemployment
3.1%
Avg High Temp
59.6°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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🗺️ County data for Washington

Explore county-level cost of living data

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