salaryRent is higher than in 51% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.7 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $67,280 a year. That is $32 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 40 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Kelso?
Share of households by yearly income. 14.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Kelso
| Size | Kelso | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,097 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,228 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,852 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,510 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Kelso overall?
Everyday prices in the Longview-Kelso metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Kelso
Life in Kelso
What jobs pay in Kelso
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $172,630 | 11.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $148,960 | 13.5% |
| Software Developer | $130,000 | 15.5% |
| Operations Manager | $125,600 | 16.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $123,020 | 16.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $122,380 | 16.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $102,750 | 19.6% |
| Lawyer | $101,170 | 20.0% |
| Electrician | $96,860 | 20.8% |
| Police Officer | $94,930 | 21.3% |
| Accountant | $93,130 | 21.7% |
| Plumber | $80,710 | 25.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,910 | 25.3% |
| Firefighter | $78,940 | 25.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $77,940 | 25.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $71,120 | 28.4% |
| Carpenter | $68,550 | 29.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $64,400 | 31.3% |
| Truck Driver | $62,930 | 32.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $61,480 | 32.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $54,870 | 36.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,460 | 40.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,830 | 42.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,980 | 44.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,510 | 49.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $38,680 | 52.2% |
| Cashier | $36,350 | 55.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Kelso?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $660 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $337,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $33,760 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Kelso, WA?
Renting in Kelso costs a median of about $1,682 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Kelso?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $67,280 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Kelso cheap or expensive?
Kelso is rated OK: rent takes 28.0% of the typical household income of $71,991. It ranks 40th cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Kelso?
The median homeowner in Kelso pays $2,945 a year in property taxes, about 0.87% of the median home value.
Is Kelso more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Kelso?
The median home value in Kelso is $337,600, about 4.7 times the typical yearly household income.
12,684 people live in Kelso. Numbers are typical (middle) values.