CostIndexUSA

Seattle, WA vs Yakima, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent
More AffordableWA
Yakima
95.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Yakima is moderately cheaper than Seattle — 14.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Seattle, you would need $68,800 in Yakima. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing52.0%
Seattle
151.3
Yakima
72.6
🛒 Groceries+1.0%
Seattle
104
Yakima
105
🚗 Transportation7.0%
Seattle
112.2
Yakima
104.4
🏥 Healthcare6.9%
Seattle
101.5
Yakima
94.5
Utilities1.0%
Seattle
92.8
Yakima
91.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Seattle to see what you'd need to earn in Yakima to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Yakima, WA
$68,800
$11,200 less needed in Yakima

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 111.1) = salary × 0.8596. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Yakima, WA

Median Home Price
$342,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
72.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.9×

Seattle has 52.0% lower housing costs compared to Yakima.

Income & Job Market

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

Yakima, WA

Median Household Income
$69,500
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
92,685
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Seattle, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Yakima, WA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.