salaryVancouver is the 4th-largest city in Washington that we track, with 195,300 residents. Rent is higher than in 63% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.3 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $75,760 a year. That is $36 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 68 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Vancouver with other big cities
Compare Vancouver to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Vancouver?
Share of households by yearly income. 26.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Vancouver
| Size | Vancouver | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,457 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,608 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,788 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,152 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,718 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Vancouver overall?
Everyday prices in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro area are 5% above the U.S. average (index 105.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Vancouver
Life in Vancouver
What jobs pay in Vancouver
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $168,830 | 13.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $163,810 | 13.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $158,890 | 14.3% |
| Software Developer | $156,000 | 14.6% |
| Lawyer | $155,330 | 14.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $130,310 | 17.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,360 | 17.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $123,100 | 18.5% |
| Operations Manager | $121,050 | 18.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $106,280 | 21.4% |
| Electrician | $105,090 | 21.6% |
| Plumber | $101,010 | 22.5% |
| Police Officer | $97,200 | 23.4% |
| Accountant | $92,200 | 24.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $85,350 | 26.6% |
| Firefighter | $85,170 | 26.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $83,510 | 27.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $82,330 | 27.6% |
| Carpenter | $73,710 | 30.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $65,260 | 34.8% |
| Truck Driver | $63,800 | 35.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $56,240 | 40.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $54,780 | 41.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $50,350 | 45.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,650 | 46.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,100 | 49.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $45,200 | 50.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,340 | 60.9% |
| Cashier | $36,560 | 62.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Vancouver?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,314 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $462,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $46,240 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Vancouver, WA?
Renting in Vancouver costs a median of about $1,894 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Vancouver?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $75,760 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Vancouver cheap or expensive?
Vancouver is rated OK: rent takes 25.9% of the typical household income of $87,723. It ranks 68th cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Vancouver?
The median homeowner in Vancouver pays $3,899 a year in property taxes, about 0.84% of the median home value.
Is Vancouver more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Vancouver?
The median home value in Vancouver is $462,400, about 5.3 times the typical yearly household income.
195,300 people live in Vancouver. Numbers are typical (middle) values.