salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 7.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $113,120 a year. That is $54 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Washington cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Washington. It is number 175 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Anacortes?
Share of households by yearly income. 35.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Anacortes
| Size | Anacortes | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,071 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,215 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,787 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,186 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,040 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Anacortes overall?
Everyday prices in the Mount Vernon-Anacortes metro area are 2% above the U.S. average (index 102.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Anacortes
Life in Anacortes
What jobs pay in Anacortes
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $159,320 | 21.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $141,790 | 23.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $127,470 | 26.6% |
| Operations Manager | $126,680 | 26.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $107,850 | 31.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $106,730 | 31.8% |
| Software Developer | $106,640 | 31.8% |
| Electrician | $104,510 | 32.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,300 | 33.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $100,730 | 33.7% |
| Police Officer | $100,480 | 33.8% |
| Accountant | $92,920 | 36.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $83,940 | 40.4% |
| Firefighter | $81,100 | 41.8% |
| Plumber | $77,540 | 43.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $77,010 | 44.1% |
| Carpenter | $69,710 | 48.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $68,710 | 49.4% |
| Truck Driver | $62,240 | 54.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $61,870 | 54.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $53,060 | 64.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,160 | 69.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,020 | 69.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $46,450 | 73.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $45,960 | 73.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $39,240 | 86.5% |
| Cashier | $37,960 | 89.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Anacortes?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,006 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $696,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $69,670 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Anacortes, WA?
Renting in Anacortes costs a median of about $2,828 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Anacortes?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $113,120 a year, or $54 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Anacortes cheap or expensive?
Anacortes is rated Expensive: rent takes 34.2% of the typical household income of $99,169. It ranks 175th cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Anacortes?
The median homeowner in Anacortes pays $4,683 a year in property taxes, about 0.67% of the median home value.
Is Anacortes more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Anacortes?
The median home value in Anacortes is $696,700, about 7.0 times the typical yearly household income.
17,966 people live in Anacortes. Numbers are typical (middle) values.