Cost of Living in Ellensburg, WA
Cost of Living in Ellensburg, WA has an overall index of 103, 3% above the U.S. baseline of 100. The typical home value is $357,800; typical monthly rent is $1,258; and median household income is $49,888.
Cost index: committed city housing/rent inputs and BEA 2024 state nonmetro price parities. Home value: Census ACS 2023 fallback place estimate. Rent: Census ACS 2023 fallback place estimate. A place-level signal, not a personal affordability decision or financial recommendation.
Home prices are the main source of pressure. This describes the local market, not your household.
Can your household carry the housing cost?
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Frequently asked questions about Ellensburg
Living in Ellensburg
What is the cost of living like in Ellensburg, WA?+
Living costs in Ellensburg land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 103 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $357,800, and typical monthly rents are $1,258. Groceries and utilities are slightly below what you would find in most US cities.
How does Ellensburg fit a household housing budget?+
Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,258, while local median household income is $49,888. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 30% before utilities and other costs. Use that as a planning signal for whether the place looks manageable under your own household assumptions.
How much are taxes in Ellensburg, WA?+
This model applies no broad Washington wage-income tax. Applying the 0.98% state-level effective owner-occupied proxy to a home worth $357,800 gives a planning estimate near $3,506 per year; it is not a city, county, parcel, or individual tax bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is around 9.23%.
How much does it cost to rent in Ellensburg, WA?+
The typical monthly rent in Ellensburg is around $1,258. That's close to the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $357,800, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.
How much does a house cost in Ellensburg, WA?+
The typical home value in Ellensburg is $357,800. With 20% down and the committed 6.11% national 30-year fixed benchmark as of 2026-03-12, principal and interest are roughly $1,736/month before property tax and insurance. This is a planning estimate, not a local lender quote. About 37% of residents here own their homes.
Are groceries and utilities expensive in Ellensburg?+
Grocery prices in Ellensburg are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 88). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.
What is Ellensburg, WA like to live in?+
Ellensburg is a small town with a population of about 18,913. The median age of residents is 26.7, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 20.98%, above the national average of 12.4%.