Rows tagged local are specific to Vancouver (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Portland, OR. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district Evergreen School District (clark) · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
106.7
metro-area
#177 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
104.8
metro-area
#174 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$6.07
metro-area
#177 of 200 metros
Median household income
$73,626
local
#2066 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$42,635
local
#1865 of 3,220 cities
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.62%
local
#2072 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+11.3%
local
#594 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$403,400
local
#1994 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
5.5×
local
#2591 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
-1.1%
metro-area
#160 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$224
local
#2015 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,800 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,525
local
#1766 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
8,531
Median days on market
12
metro-area
#65 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.7%
state
#131 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
9.38%
state
#1 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
None
Capital gains tax
7.00%
state
#165 of 200 metros
High earners
7% capital gains tax on gains over ~$262k (no wage income tax)
Effective property tax rate
0.87%
local
#1303 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$3,506
local
#1510 of 3,220 cities
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
state
#65 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$16,000
state
#141 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$200
state
#107 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
Discontinued emissions testing in 2020
DMV & license offices
8
Avg commute to work
24 min
local
#905 of 3,220 cities
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
14.4¢/kWh
state
#64 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$129
state
#64 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$4.55/gal
state
#170 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$58
state
#58 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$167
state
#195 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$83
state
#129 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#1 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#41 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#41 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$700
state
#172 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
38
metro-area
#25 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
300
metro-area
#2 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,600
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Avg summer high
82°F
metro-area
#10 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
34°F
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
43.7"
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
3.4"
metro-area
#78 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
48%
metro-area
#186 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
8b
Frost window
02-25 → 12-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
375
state
#48 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
3,000
state
#186 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
55
metro-area
#108 of 200 metros
Parks
56
Hiking areas
32
Golf courses
17
Shooting ranges
8
Lakes
1
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
5
state
#147 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Difficult; long timelines, design review in Seattle
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.