Cost of living in Washington challenges families

Washington families are feeling financial pressure as costs rise. Read about how grocery, housing, and child-care expenses create challenges. Shoppers adjust habits to combat grocery inflation by choosing generic brands and using coupons. Living in Thurston County becomes difficult with fewer starter homes and high median home prices, prompting interest in programs facilitating accessory dwelling units. Reports indicate a six-figure salary is necessary to live comfortably in Washington, with child-care costs among the highest nationwide.

One of the ready-to-go ADU designs offered by the city of Lacey. By City of Lacey

NO. 1: ADU POPULARITY IS GROWING IN THURSTON COUNTY. BUT IS IT REALLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

Thirty-one permits for accessory dwelling units have been processed in Lacey. | Published February 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rolf Boone

The Thurston County housing market is trending in the right direction if you’re a prospective buyer because single-family home sales fell nearly 10 percent last month and inventory continues to inch higher, according to new Northwest Multiple Listing Service data released Monday. By Stockbyte

NO. 2: DO STARTER HOMES EXIST IN THURSTON COUNTY ANYMORE?

They are harder to find than million-dollar homes, the data shows. | Published February 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rolf Boone

Jontayesha Brown searches through her choices as she grocery shops at the Aldi on Romig Road in Akron, Ohio on Friday Jan. 10, 2025. By Mike Cardew

NO. 3: MOST AMERICANS CHANGING GROCERY SHOPPING HABITS TO SAVE MONEY, POLL SHOWS. HERE’S HOW

Here’s how shoppers are cutting down on their grocery bill. | Published February 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

Stock image of home for sale sold sign. By ajcasanova

NO. 4: IF YOU LIVE IN WASHINGTON, HOW MUCH IS A MIDDLE CLASS INCOME? NEW STUDY REVEALS THE RANGE

SmartAsset released its study of the amount of money you need to make to be considered middle class in each state. Here’s where WA ranks. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Schrager

Grocery store stock photo By SDI Productions

NO. 5: HOW MUCH DO WA RESIDENTS SPEND ON GROCERIES? IT’S MORE THAN MOST STATES

A new study from LendingTree looked at the average household grocery spending in each state and compared it to the average household income. | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Schrager

Housing prices across Fresno County, the San Joaquin Valley and statewide across California have increased significantly since before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in early 2020. What’s that mean for affordability? By Phillip Spears

NO. 6: DO WASHINGTONIANS SPEND MORE OR LESS INCOME ON HOUSING THAN OTHER STATES?

A recent report ranked all 50 states in the U.S. by how much the average household spends on housing costs. Washington’s ranking might surprise you. | Published May 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Karlee Van De Venter

Tessa Frazier, a 23-year-old Olympia resident, said Community Youth Services helped her access rent assistance funds via the county’s Eviction Prevention Rent Assistance program. By Martín Bilbao

NO. 7: ‘FAMILIES ARE REALLY STRUGGLING.’ LOCAL RENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CAN’T KEEP UP WITH DEMAND

The county’s rent assistance program has been closed to new applicants. | Published May 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Martín Bilbao

Grocery store receipt stock photo. By andresr

NO. 8: WHICH PACIFIC NORTHWEST CITIES MADE LIST OF MOST AFFORDABLE IN WESTERN US?

Personal finance website Motley Fool compared the cost of living with the median income in western U.S. cities to find the most affordable. | Published May 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Schrager

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NO. 9: WITH THE STATE BUDGET SIGNED, HOW MUCH MORE TAXES SHOULD WA FAMILIES EXPECT TO PAY?

Republicans are claiming one number that Democrats argue is bunk. | Published May 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter

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NO. 10: WASHINGTON AMONG LEAST AFFORDABLE STATES FOR CHILD CARE, REPORT SHOWS

The average day-care center cost in Washington outpaces annual in-state tuition at a four-year public university. | Published June 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter

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NO. 11: MONEY TIGHT? NO WONDER. STUDY SHOWS SIX-FIGURE SALARY NEEDED TO LIVE COMFORTABLY IN WA

Washington stands out in SmartAsset’s study of 50 states. | Published June 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter

Senior Services for South Sound Executive Director Brian Windrope explains the organization’s Home Share program to Olympia City Council on June 17, 2025. By City of Olympia

NO. 12: WOULD YOU CONSIDER SHARING YOUR THURSTON COUNTY HOME? THIS PROGRAM CAN HELP

One person called it the most cost-effective approach to affordable housing. | Published July 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rolf Boone

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NO. 13: OLYMPIA CITY COUNCIL SENDS $20 MINIMUM WAGE, WORKERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS TO NOV. BALLOT

Thurston County Commissioner Emily Clouse spoke in favor of the council adopting the Workers’ Bill of Rights itself and eliminating the need for a ballot measure. | Published July 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ty Vinson

An online calculator from MIT living wage in states, counties and cities around the U.S.

NO. 14: DO YOU EARN A LIVING WAGE IN THURSTON COUNTY? HERE’S HOW MUCH YOU NEED IN 2025

Does the amount of money you’re earning at work equal a living wage? | Published August 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sara Schilling

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.