salaryRent is lower than in 55% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.8 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 17.5 minutes. Most households rent (67%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $62,200 a year. That is $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Washington cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Washington. It is number 31 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Ellensburg?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Ellensburg
| Size | Ellensburg | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $909 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,073 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,410 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,966 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Ellensburg overall?
Everyday prices in Washington overall are 7% above the U.S. average (index 107.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Ellensburg, so the Washington figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Ellensburg
Life in Ellensburg
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Ellensburg?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,249 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $404,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $40,410 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Ellensburg, WA?
Renting in Ellensburg costs a median of about $1,555 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Ellensburg?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $62,200 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Ellensburg cheap or expensive?
Ellensburg is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.2% of the typical household income of $59,790. It ranks 31st cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Ellensburg?
The median homeowner in Ellensburg pays $3,323 a year in property taxes, about 0.82% of the median home value.
Is Ellensburg more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Washington are 7% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Ellensburg?
The median home value in Ellensburg is $404,100, about 6.8 times the typical yearly household income.
20,874 people live in Ellensburg. Numbers are typical (middle) values.