Over the past decade, Washington has become one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S., and the trend is especially noticeable around Seattle and nearby communities.
A new report from the Washington Roundtable, created with consulting firm Kinetic West, shows that the state’s cost of living has risen faster than the national average. By 2023, Washington ranked as the fifth most expensive state, behind only California, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C.
The report relies on data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, which tracks price differences across the country using its Regional Price Parities index. In this system, the national average is set at 100. Washington scored 108.5 in 2023, meaning prices were about 8.5% higher than average. In 2024, the score dipped slightly to 107, moving the state to sixth place as New York became more expensive. Back in 2011, Washington ranked 13th with a score of 103.2.
The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area stands out as one of the priciest regions in the country, ranking fifth nationwide in 2023. Only several California metro areas ranked higher. Across the state, all 11 other metro areas also fell within the top 25% most expensive nationally.
Spending has risen sharply as well. Average consumer spending in Washington increased from $40,650 per person in 2015 to $62,837 in 2024. About 59% of that goes toward essentials like housing, utilities, food, health care, and transportation.
These rising costs may be influencing migration patterns. Between 2021 and 2023, more people left Washington than moved in, resulting in a net loss of over 55,000 residents. Many former residents relocated to states like Arizona, Idaho, and Texas.
The report doesn’t offer solutions (future reports promise to explore ways to address affordability). Rather, it aims to help policymakers and business leaders better understand the cost-of-living challenges facing Washington residents.