Cost of Living in Wapato, WA

Population 4,577 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

63
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Wapato 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. Around 22% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Geographically, Wapato lies roughly 105 miles southeast of the nearest major metro, Kent. Median home values run roughly 67% lower than Kent's $538,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 58
Rent 71

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

About the Cost of Living in Wapato

The median home value in Wapato is $177,600 — 42% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $931/month, 29% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,341/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.6%, 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, Wapato has a cost of living index of 63 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 37% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$177,600
42% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$276,587
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$931/mo
29% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.9x
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 50.0%
Renter-occupied 50.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$931
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,545/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
21.6 min
20% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.6%
Carpooled
21.6%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
1.5%
Work from home
1.9%

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
$51,341
31% below avg
Per Capita Income
$17,688
Unemployment Rate
7.6%
59% above avg
Poverty Rate
22.0%
Labor Force Participation
65.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 4.1%
Graduate degree 2.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 24.6
Male median age 25.1
Female median age 24.3

🌤 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

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
3,443
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wapato, WA?

Wapato has a cost index of 63 (100 = national average). It is 37% below the national average.

What is average rent in Wapato, WA?

The median gross rent in Wapato is $931 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Wapato?

The median home value in Wapato is $177,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Wapato?

The median household income in Wapato is $51,341 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wapato, WA?

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

Is Wapato, WA affordable?

Yes, Wapato is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 63 — about 37% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Wapato?

Wapato 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.

Wapato at a Glance

Population
4,577
Median Income
$51,341
Home Value
$177,600
Median Rent
$931/mo
Unemployment
7.6%
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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