Washington · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Clark County, WA

Prices around Clark County, WA run 5.4% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $97,536 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,922 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $76,880 a year.

Clark County, WA at a glance

Median household income

$97,536$8,128 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,922HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)105.4+5.4% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity14.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential WA
Population516,959Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Clark County, WA?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,922Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$76,880To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,438At 30% of $97,536
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Clark County, WA? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Clark County, WA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,570$18,840$62,80019.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,677$20,124$67,08020.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,922$23,064$76,88023.6%
3-Bedroom Home$2,619$31,428$104,76032.2%
4-Bedroom Home$3,109$37,308$124,36038.3%

Rent in Clark County, WA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Clark County, WA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $97,536 a year ($8,128 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$4,064/moRent ($1,922 2-BR), utilities (~$134/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,438/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,626/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $97,536 leaves after Washington taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Washington tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$97,536
$35,000$200,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$97,536
Net 79%
Fed 13%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$77,447After all taxes
Monthly deposit$6,454Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,979Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$12,628 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$7,462 / yr

Living in Clark County, WA: common questions

What is the median household income in Clark County, WA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Clark County, WA is $97,536 per year (approximately $8,128 per month).

What is the average rent in Clark County, WA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,570 for a studio, $1,677 for one bedroom, $1,922 for two, $2,619 for three and $3,109 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Clark County, WA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 5.4% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 105.4, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Clark County, WA?

To keep a $1,922 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $76,880 a year, or $6,407 a month. That is 79% of what the typical household in Clark County, WA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Clark County, WA?

On the local median income of $97,536 ($8,128 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $4,064 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,438 for everything else and $1,626 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,922 takes 47% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Clark County, WA?

Homes in Washington paid 14.9¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $134. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.