Cost of Living
Regional Cost of Living
The cost of living composite consists of grocery, housing, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous goods and services. The national average is normalized at 100. Cost of living for Kitsap County in Q3 2021 is 121.19. The cost of living in Kitsap is lower than King County (149.9), and higher than other urban areas. Both Kitsap and King Counties experienced dramatically higher housing prices in 2021; however, Kitsap indicated a much lower cost in all other categories amalgamated in the composite index.
| Urban Area | Composite | Grocery | Housing | Utilities | Transportation | Healthcare | Misc. Good and Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | 118.6 | 109.3 | 129.8 | 86.1 | 128.9 | 122.0 | 113.5 |
| Kitsap* | 121.1 | 106.3 | 138.2 | 86.5 | 123.6 | 117.3 | 121.1 |
| Mount Vernon-Skagit | 117.3 | 124.5 | 128.9 | 86 | 115.8 | 124.1 | 107.8 |
| Olympia | 113.3 | 116 | 118.7 | 93.9 | 128.5 | 124.1 | 107.8 |
| Seattle | 149.4 | 127.9 | 201.4 | 107 | 135.1 | 121.2 | 135.3 |
Source: Home - C2ER Cost of Living Index (coli.org) Q3 2021 Report
Living Wage
The living wage is determined by calculating the minimum income at which a maximum of 33.3% of the total income would be allocated for housing. Per the UW Runstad Department of Real Estate Fall 2021 Report the minimum living wage to rent a one-bedroom apartment in Kitsap County was $27 compared to $32 in King County. Meanwhile, the median home mortgage in Kitsap County required an hourly wage of $34 in contrast to King County at $57.
Living Wage (Kitsap)
| Housing Type | Rate | Required household hourly wage | Required household weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent 1 bedroom | $1,544 | $27 | $1069 |
| Rent 2 bedroom | $1,731 | $30 | $1198 |
| Median home mortgage | $1,995 | $34 | $1,354 |
Source: UW Runstad Department of Real Estate Fall 2021 Report
Kitsap County, WA Housing Market: House Prices & Trends | Redfin
