salaryRent is lower than in 78% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.4 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 17.8 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $46,560 a year. That is $22 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 6 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Yakima?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Yakima
| Size | Yakima | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $957 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $878 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,228 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,559 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,561 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Yakima overall?
Everyday prices in the Yakima metro area are 4% below the U.S. average (index 95.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Yakima
Life in Yakima
What jobs pay in Yakima
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $146,650 | 9.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $138,860 | 10.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $136,570 | 10.2% |
| Lawyer | $131,660 | 10.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $120,690 | 11.6% |
| Operations Manager | $119,470 | 11.7% |
| Software Developer | $115,170 | 12.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $102,950 | 13.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,930 | 13.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,510 | 13.9% |
| Police Officer | $98,340 | 14.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $98,330 | 14.2% |
| Accountant | $82,380 | 17.0% |
| Electrician | $78,630 | 17.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $76,290 | 18.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $65,900 | 21.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,900 | 21.5% |
| Carpenter | $63,300 | 22.1% |
| Firefighter | $62,120 | 22.5% |
| Plumber | $60,900 | 22.9% |
| Truck Driver | $57,210 | 24.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $49,310 | 28.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $49,060 | 28.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,080 | 29.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,570 | 30.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,390 | 31.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,710 | 35.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,640 | 38.1% |
| Cashier | $36,010 | 38.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Yakima?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $901 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $297,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $29,760 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Yakima, WA?
Renting in Yakima costs a median of about $1,164 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Yakima?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $46,560 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Yakima cheap or expensive?
Yakima is rated OK: rent takes 20.6% of the typical household income of $67,746. It ranks 6th cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Yakima?
The median homeowner in Yakima pays $2,380 a year in property taxes, about 0.80% of the median home value.
Is Yakima more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Yakima?
The median home value in Yakima is $297,600, about 4.4 times the typical yearly household income.
96,961 people live in Yakima. Numbers are typical (middle) values.