CostIndexUSA

Wenatchee, WA vs Yakima, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Wenatchee
103.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
More AffordableWA
Yakima
95.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Yakima is moderately cheaper than Wenatchee — 8.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Wenatchee, you would need $73,500 in Yakima. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing36.9%
Wenatchee
115
Yakima
72.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Wenatchee
105
Yakima
105
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Wenatchee
104.4
Yakima
104.4
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Wenatchee
94.5
Yakima
94.5
Utilities8.6%
Wenatchee
100.6
Yakima
91.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Yakima, WA
$73,500
$6,500 less needed in Yakima

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 103.9) = salary × 0.9192. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Wenatchee, WA

Median Home Price
$503,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
115
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3×

Yakima, WA

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

Wenatchee has 36.9% lower housing costs compared to Yakima.

Income & Job Market

Wenatchee, WA

Median Household Income
$73,600
Per Capita Income
$42,000
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
33,621
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareTourismManufacturingRetail

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).

Wenatchee, WA
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.