Report: Cities in Washington where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest
How does living in Washington state affect your wallet?
doxo breaks down key insights about Washington’s household expenses, with a close eye to how bills differ in towns and cities across the state. The average household in Washington, doxo’s data reveals, pays $2,468 in bills per month.
doxo’s data also has infographics for 85 cities and towns across Washington, breaking down localized bill pay data figures as well. The state-wide rankings for most and least expensive cities provide insight into cost of living in Washington and how it changes according to location.
The data sheds light on Washington’s cost of living through other metrics, too. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of household income local residents spend on bills. doxo’s data also indicates how much more or less expensive specific cities are than the national and state average.
Washington residents pay $2,468 in household bills a month
- Average Bill Cost per HH: $2,468 per month
- State Bill Pay Market Size: $78 billion
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: 8 out of 50
- Percent of HHI Used for Bills: 37%
- Difference from the National Average: 20.6% higher
Housing bill category drives Washington’s low monthly bill expenses
The average Washington household pays $2,468 in the 10 most common household bills per month. Rent and mortgage expenses drive the cost of living, with both being considerably higher than the national average. The average mortgage payment in Washington is $1,854, and average rent is $1,476, compared to the national average mortgage bill of $1,321 and rent bill of $1,191.
Other than housing-related expenses, auto loans are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for residents of Washington. These expenses are also higher than the national average. The average auto loan bill in Washington is $492 a month, compared to the national average of $467.
Compared to the national average, health insurance is also a notably higher expense for residents of Washington. The average household in the state pays $123 a month for health insurance, compared to the national average of $120.
Utilities are also more expensive in Washington. While US residents on average spend $351 per month on utilities, in Washington they spend $389.
Note: Health Insurance and Life Insurance expenses do not account for payments made by employers on behalf of employees. These just include out-of-pocket expenses. Also, the state and national bill totals take into account the percentage of households that pay a bill.
Average Washington Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Average Washington Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | Washington Percent +/- National Average ($2,046) |
| Mortgage | $1,854 | $1,321 | 40% higher |
| Rent | $1,476 | $1,191 | 24% higher |
| Auto Loan | $492 | $467 | 5% higher |
| Utilities | $389 | $351 | 11% higher |
| Auto Insurance | $228 | $207 | 10% higher |
| Cable & Internet | $125 | $118 | 6% higher |
| Health Insurance | $123 | $120 | 3% higher |
| Mobile Phone | $123 | $119 | 3% higher |
| Alarm & Security | $100 | $84 | 19% higher |
| Life Insurance | $90 | $89 | 1% higher |
| Total | $2,468 | $2,046 | 20.6% higher |
Sammamish tops the list of most expensive cities for Washington’s household bills
Residents of Sammamish pay the highest household bills in the state of Washington, at an average of $3,879 per month. Redmond comes second in the rankings, with residents paying $3,631 on average per month.
In proportion to household income, however, Redmond’s bills are costlier than ones in Sammamish. While Redmond’s monthly bill basket makes up 31% of average household income there, Sammamish’s bill basket accounts for just 24% of average household income in that area.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
10 Most Expensive Washington Cities for Household Bills
| Rank (1-10 out of 85) | City | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household* | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills | |
| 1 | Sammamish | $3,879 | 24% | |
| 2 | Redmond | $3,631 | 31% | |
| 3 | Mercer Island | $3,513 | 28% | |
| 4 | Bellevue | $3,475 | 30% | |
| 5 | Issaquah | $3,410 | 32% | |
| 6 | Woodinville | $3,365 | 29% | |
| 7 | Kirkland | $3,272 | 33% | |
| 8 | Maple Valley | $3,233 | 34% | |
| 9 | Snohomish | $3,074 | 30% | |
| 10 | Bothell | $3,069 | 32% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Colville is the most affordable Washington city for household bills
Out of 85 cities and towns, Colville is the most affordable place in Washington, with residents paying $1,645 on average for household bills. Household bills account for 38% of local income in Colville.
Clarkston comes in at the second most affordable town or city in Washington, with residents paying $1,677 per month on average.
Also on the list of 10 least expensive cities in Washington are Cheney ($1,692 per month), Port Townsend ($1,707 per month), and Sequim ($1,748 per month).
10 Most Affordable Washington Cities for Household Bills
| Rank (76-85 out of 85) | City | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 76 | Moses Lake | $1,869 | 37% |
| 77 | Port Angeles | $1,830 | 39% |
| 78 | Longview | $1,811 | 42% |
| 79 | Sunnyside | $1,809 | 45% |
| 80 | Aberdeen | $1,806 | 43% |
| 81 | Sequim | $1,748 | 37% |
| 82 | Port Townsend | $1,707 | 36% |
| 83 | Cheney | $1,692 | 35% |
| 84 | Clarkston | $1,677 | 38% |
| 85 | Colville | $1,645 | 38% |
Some individuals may be deciding whether to move from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource for consumers seeking to make key decisions like this, allowing them to compare Pennsylvania’s household expenses against average bills in different cities and states across the country. They can also use doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to compare average costs for over 4,200 towns and cities across the country.
- Average Bill Cost per HH: $2,468 per month
- State Bill Pay Market Size: $78 billion
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: 8 out of 50
- Percent of HHI Used for Bills: 37%
- Difference from the National Average: 20.6% higher
Housing bill category drives Washington’s low monthly bill expenses
The average Washington household pays $2,468 in the 10 most common household bills per month. Rent and mortgage expenses drive the cost of living, with both being considerably higher than the national average. The average mortgage payment in Washington is $1,854, and average rent is $1,476, compared to the national average mortgage bill of $1,321 and rent bill of $1,191.
Other than housing-related expenses, auto loans are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for residents of Washington. These expenses are also higher than the national average. The average auto loan bill in Washington is $492 a month, compared to the national average of $467.
Compared to the national average, health insurance is also a notably higher expense for residents of Washington. The average household in the state pays $123 a month for health insurance, compared to the national average of $120.
Utilities are also more expensive in Washington. While US residents on average spend $351 per month on utilities, in Washington they spend $389.
Note: Health Insurance and Life Insurance expenses do not account for payments made by employers on behalf of employees. These just include out-of-pocket expenses. Also, the state and national bill totals take into account the percentage of households that pay a bill.
Average Washington Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Average Washington Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | Washington Percent +/- National Average ($2,046) |
| Mortgage | $1,854 | $1,321 | 40% higher |
| Rent | $1,476 | $1,191 | 24% higher |
| Auto Loan | $492 | $467 | 5% higher |
| Utilities | $389 | $351 | 11% higher |
| Auto Insurance | $228 | $207 | 10% higher |
| Cable & Internet | $125 | $118 | 6% higher |
| Health Insurance | $123 | $120 | 3% higher |
| Mobile Phone | $123 | $119 | 3% higher |
| Alarm & Security | $100 | $84 | 19% higher |
| Life Insurance | $90 | $89 | 1% higher |
| Total | $2,468 | $2,046 | 20.6% higher |
Sammamish tops the list of most expensive cities for Washington’s household bills
Residents of Sammamish pay the highest household bills in the state of Washington, at an average of $3,879 per month. Redmond comes second in the rankings, with residents paying $3,631 on average per month.
In proportion to household income, however, Redmond’s bills are costlier than ones in Sammamish. While Redmond’s monthly bill basket makes up 31% of average household income there, Sammamish’s bill basket accounts for just 24% of average household income in that area.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
10 Most Expensive Washington Cities for Household Bills
| Rank (1-10 out of 85) | City | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household* | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Sammamish | $3,879 | 24% |
| 2 | Redmond | $3,631 | 31% |
| 3 | Mercer Island | $3,513 | 28% |
| 4 | Bellevue | $3,475 | 30% |
| 5 | Issaquah | $3,410 | 32% |
| 6 | Woodinville | $3,365 | 29% |
| 7 | Kirkland | $3,272 | 33% |
| 8 | Maple Valley | $3,233 | 34% |
| 9 | Snohomish | $3,074 | 30% |
| 10 | Bothell | $3,069 | 32% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Colville is the most affordable Washington city for household bills
Out of 85 cities and towns, Colville is the most affordable place in Washington, with residents paying $1,645 on average for household bills. Household bills account for 38% of local income in Colville.
Clarkston comes in at the second most affordable town or city in Washington, with residents paying $1,677 per month on average.
Also on the list of 10 least expensive cities in Washington are Cheney ($1,692 per month), Port Townsend ($1,707 per month), and Sequim ($1,748 per month).
10 Most Affordable Washington Cities for Household Bills
| Rank (76-85 out of 85) | City | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 76 | Moses Lake | $1,869 | 37% |
| 77 | Port Angeles | $1,830 | 39% |
| 78 | Longview | $1,811 | 42% |
| 79 | Sunnyside | $1,809 | 45% |
| 80 | Aberdeen | $1,806 | 43% |
| 81 | Sequim | $1,748 | 37% |
| 82 | Port Townsend | $1,707 | 36% |
| 83 | Cheney | $1,692 | 35% |
| 84 | Clarkston | $1,677 | 38% |
| 85 | Colville | $1,645 | 38% |
Some individuals may be deciding whether to move from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource for consumers seeking to make key decisions like this, allowing them to compare Pennsylvania’s household expenses against average bills in different cities and states across the country. They can also use doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to compare average costs for over 4,200 towns and cities across the country.
The average Washington household pays $2,468 a month for the 10 most common household bills. This figure takes into account the 10 most common household bills, which are:Mortgage; Rent; Auto Loan; Utilities (electric, gas, water & sewer, and waste & recycling); Auto Insurance; Cable & Internet & Phone, Health Insurance (consumer paid portion); Mobile Phone; Alarm & Security; and Life Insurance.
Washington residents, overall, get a good deal on their bills: the state ranks 8th out of 50 states in terms of average monthly spending. New York ranks 7th, with annual monthly expenses of $2,495, and Colorado ranks 9th, at $2,413.
Washington’s household expenses, on average, are 20.6% higher than the national average of $2,046.
Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. The “percentage of household income” metric provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Washington households spend 37% of their income on household bills.
Annually, Washington residents pay $78 billion in household bills. See more data about bill pay in Washington by clicking on the infographic link below.
Data: doxoINSIGHTS’ bill pay infographic about Washington
- Average Bill Cost per HH: $2,468 per month
- State Bill Pay Market Size: $78 billion
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: 8 out of 50
- Percent of HHI Used for Bills: 37%
- Difference from the National Average: 20.6% higher
Housing bill category drives Washington’s low monthly bill expenses
The average Washington household pays $2,468 in the 10 most common household bills per month. Rent and mortgage expenses drive the cost of living, with both being considerably higher than the national average. The average mortgage payment in Washington is $1,854, and average rent is $1,476, compared to the national average mortgage bill of $1,321 and rent bill of $1,191.
Other than housing-related expenses, auto loans are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for residents of Washington. These expenses are also higher than the national average. The average auto loan bill in Washington is $492 a month, compared to the national average of $467.
Compared to the national average, health insurance is also a notably higher expense for residents of Washington. The average household in the state pays $123 a month for health insurance, compared to the national average of $120.
Utilities are also more expensive in Washington. While US residents on average spend $351 per month on utilities, in Washington they spend $389.
Note: Health Insurance and Life Insurance expenses do not account for payments made by employers on behalf of employees. These just include out-of-pocket expenses. Also, the state and national bill totals take into account the percentage of households that pay a bill.
Average Washington Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Average Washington Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | Washington Percent +/- National Average ($2,046) |
| Mortgage | $1,854 | $1,321 | 40% higher |
| Rent | $1,476 | $1,191 | 24% higher |
| Auto Loan | $492 | $467 | 5% higher |
| Utilities | $389 | $351 | 11% higher |
| Auto Insurance | $228 | $207 | 10% higher |
| Cable & Internet | $125 | $118 | 6% higher |
| Health Insurance | $123 | $120 | 3% higher |
| Mobile Phone | $123 | $119 | 3% higher |
| Alarm & Security | $100 | $84 | 19% higher |
| Life Insurance | $90 | $89 | 1% higher |
| Total | $2,468 | $2,046 | 20.6% higher |
Sammamish tops the list of most expensive cities for Washington’s household bills
Residents of Sammamish pay the highest household bills in the state of Washington, at an average of $3,879 per month. Redmond comes second in the rankings, with residents paying $3,631 on average per month.
In proportion to household income, however, Redmond’s bills are costlier than ones in Sammamish. While Redmond’s monthly bill basket makes up 31% of average household income there, Sammamish’s bill basket accounts for just 24% of average household income in that area.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
10 Most Expensive Washington Cities for Household Bills
| Rank (1-10 out of 85) | City | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household* | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills | |
| 1 | Sammamish | $3,879 | 24% | |
| 2 | Redmond | $3,631 | 31% | |
| 3 | Mercer Island | $3,513 | 28% | |
| 4 | Bellevue | $3,475 | 30% | |
| 5 | Issaquah | $3,410 | 32% | |
| 6 | Woodinville | $3,365 | 29% | |
| 7 | Kirkland | $3,272 | 33% | |
| 8 | Maple Valley | $3,233 | 34% | |
| 9 | Snohomish | $3,074 | 30% | |
| 10 | Bothell | $3,069 | 32% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Colville is the most affordable Washington city for household bills
Out of 85 cities and towns, Colville is the most affordable place in Washington, with residents paying $1,645 on average for household bills. Household bills account for 38% of local income in Colville.
Clarkston comes in at the second most affordable town or city in Washington, with residents paying $1,677 per month on average.
Also on the list of 10 least expensive cities in Washington are Cheney ($1,692 per month), Port Townsend ($1,707 per month), and Sequim ($1,748 per month).
10 Most Affordable Washington Cities for Household Bills
| Rank (76-85 out of 85) | City | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 76 | Moses Lake | $1,869 | 37% |
| 77 | Port Angeles | $1,830 | 39% |
| 78 | Longview | $1,811 | 42% |
| 79 | Sunnyside | $1,809 | 45% |
| 80 | Aberdeen | $1,806 | 43% |
| 81 | Sequim | $1,748 | 37% |
| 82 | Port Townsend | $1,707 | 36% |
| 83 | Cheney | $1,692 | 35% |
| 84 | Clarkston | $1,677 | 38% |
| 85 | Colville | $1,645 | 38% |
Some individuals may be deciding whether to move from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource for consumers seeking to make key decisions like this, allowing them to compare Pennsylvania’s household expenses against average bills in different cities and states across the country. They can also use doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to compare average costs for over 4,200 towns and cities across the country.