Cost of Living in
Everett, WA

Everett’s True Cost of Living Report: The 2026 Numbers

If you are looking at Everett, WA, through the lens of national averages, you are already setting yourself up for financial failure. The Cost of Living (COL) index sits at 108.6, which theoretically suggests a cost 8.6% higher than the US average. However, that number is a statistical lie. It smooths over the jagged edges of Washington State’s aggressive tax structure and a housing market that refuses to cool down. To live here without living paycheck to paycheck, you need to understand the "bleed"—the money that leaks out of your account before you even see it. The median household income is $74,276, but that is a two-income figure. For a single earner looking for actual comfort—not just survival—the magic number is a gross income of $40,851+. That is the floor. Anything below that, and you are budgeting for rice and beans, not a life.

The Big Items

Housing: The Rent Trap vs. The Buy-In
Let's get the biggest expense out of the way. The data shows a 2-bedroom rental averaging $2,501. If you are a single earner making that median $40,851, your gross monthly income is roughly $3,404. Doing the math, that rent takes a staggering 73% of your gross pay. That is not a budget; that is a financial straitjacket. Buying isn't necessarily the hero story people think it is, either. While specific median home prices for Everett aren't provided here, the regional trend in the Puget Sound area dictates that home ownership requires a significant down payment to keep the monthly mortgage payment from swallowing your entire paycheck. The "market heat" here is driven by a lack of inventory and the influx of tech workers who can outbid locals. If you are renting, you are paying a premium for flexibility. If you are buying, you are trading liquidity for equity, but be warned: the property taxes and maintenance costs in Washington will nickel and dime you to death.

Taxes: The Washington State Illusion
Washington State loves to market itself as "no income tax." Do not fall for the marketing gimmick. The lack of a state income tax is offset by some of the highest regressive taxes in the nation. The sticker shock comes when you look at the sales tax, which hovers around 10.1% in the Everett area when you factor in local and state levies. That means every single purchase, from a car to a toaster, costs 10.1% more than the sticker price. Then there is the property tax bite. Even if you manage to buy a home, you are looking at effective tax rates that, when combined with special assessments, can feel like a second mortgage. For a homeowner with a $600,000 property value, you are easily looking at $6,000 to $7,000 a year just in taxes. The state gets its money; they just don't call it "income tax."

Groceries & Gas: The Pacific Premium
Your grocery bill in Everett will consistently run 15% to 20% higher than the national baseline. This isn't just inflation; it's logistics and labor costs. Produce is fresher, sure, but it comes with a markup. A standard bag of groceries that costs $100 in the Midwest will easily run you $115 or $120 here. Gasoline follows a similar trajectory. You are paying for the proximity to refineries and the high state taxes levied on fuel. While the national average fluctuates, expect to pay a premium of $0.40 to $0.60 per gallon compared to the rest of the country. If you have a commute from a cheaper outlying area, that cost compounds rapidly. You are paying for the privilege of living in the PNW at the pump and the checkout line.

Hidden 'Gotcha' Costs

This is where the budget bleeds out. You have accounted for rent and food, but have you accounted for the insurance reality? If you are living anywhere near the water or in a low-lying area, standard homeowners or renters insurance won't cut it. You will need specific flood insurance, and in some zones, the premiums can add $800 to $1,500 annually to your housing costs. Fire insurance is becoming a separate, expensive beast as well due to wildfire risks, often forcing you into a state-run "insurer of last resort" if your home is deemed too risky.

Then there is the car. Washington has virtually no toll roads currently, but if you drive into the Seattle metro area, you will hit the SR 99 tunnel or the 520 bridge, costing you $2.50 to $6.00 a pop. However, the real "gotcha" is parking. In Everett, specifically near the waterfront or the stadium district, parking is not free. If you live in a newer apartment complex, you are likely paying $75 to $150 a month just to park your own car in a garage. If you own a condo, you are getting nickel and dimed by HOA fees that can range from $300 to $600 a month, covering everything from exterior maintenance to elevators you don't use. These are mandatory costs that don't show up in the rent price.

Lifestyle Inflation

The baseline costs are high, but the lifestyle costs are where you realize you aren't just paying for goods, you are paying for the atmosphere. A modest night out—a burger and two beers—will set you back $35 to $45 per person, before tip. A cup of coffee at a local roaster isn't $2.50; it's $5.00 to $6.50. A basic gym membership at a chain like LA Fitness or Planet Fitness is roughly $40 to $50 a month, but if you want a boutique CrossFit or yoga studio, you are looking at $150+. These small leaks add up. If you buy a $6.00 coffee three times a week, that's $72 a month, or $864 a year—money that could have gone toward your insurance deductible.

Salary Scenarios

To survive in Everett, you need a salary that matches the reality of the costs. The table below breaks down what you actually need to bring home to sustain a specific lifestyle.

Frugal Analysis: The "Frugal" earner at $55,000 is surviving, not thriving. You are likely sharing a 2BR apartment with a roommate to keep rent near $1,250. You are taking the bus or driving a paid-off beater. You are aggressively meal prepping because a single dinner out destroys the weekly budget. You are saving, but it is a grind.

Moderate Analysis: At $85,000, you gain a bit of breathing room. You can afford a 1BR apartment for roughly $2,000 and keep your housing costs under 30% of your gross income. You can finance a reliable car with a payment of $400 and still afford insurance. You can go out to dinner twice a month without checking your bank balance first. However, saving for a down payment on a house is still a slow process.

Comfortable Analysis: To be truly comfortable in Everett in 2026, a single person needs to clear $130,000. This income level allows you to buy a home without being "house poor." You can absorb the $6,000+ property tax bill, pay for the flood insurance, and still max out your 401(k). You can afford the $150 gym membership and the $50 dinner without stress. This is the income level where Everett stops being a financial burden and starts being a place you can actually enjoy.