Cost of Living in Chelan, WA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,172 (excluding rent), and $2,566 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,854 (excluding rent), and $4,987 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.81 $16.81

$14.27 $14.27

$25.47 $25.47

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$73.2 $73.2

$65.6 $65.6

$101 $101

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.75 $12.75

$10.2 $10.2

$15.3 $15.3

Cappuccino

$6.01 $6.01

$2.98 $2.98

$8.93 $8.93

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 $2.98

$2.65 $2.65

$3.58 $3.58

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.52 $1.52

$3.04 $3.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.61 $7.61

$5.06 $5.06

$10.15 $10.15

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.93 $11.93

$5.96 $5.96

$14.91 $14.91

Milk (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.93 $0.93

$1.33 $1.33

White Bread (500g)

$3.25 $3.25

$2.72 $2.72

$5.43 $5.43

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.3 $4.3

$2.15 $2.15

$12.94 $12.94

Eggs

$4.81 $4.81

$1.99 $1.99

$6.95 $6.95

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.12 $11.12

$4.44 $4.44

$24.51 $24.51

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.42 $6.42

$17.18 $17.18

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.82 $10.82

$26.02 $26.02

Apples (1kg)

$4.47 $4.47

$2.24 $2.24

$8.99 $8.99

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.27 $1.27

$3.22 $3.22

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.26 $3.26

$10.86 $10.86

Tomato (1kg)

$4.44 $4.44

$3.35 $3.35

$11.16 $11.16

Potato (1kg)

$2.19 $2.19

$1.2 $1.2

$8.78 $8.78

Onion (1kg)

$2.16 $2.16

$0.72 $0.72

$6.49 $6.49

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.01 $2.01

$1.03 $1.03

$6.17 $6.17

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.01 $1.01

$5.04 $5.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.93 $8.93

$19.41 $19.41

Wine (Bottle)

$10.09 $10.09

$30.28 $30.28

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.85 $4.85

$3.59 $3.59

$8.73 $8.73

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.01 $2.01

$1.26 $1.26

$2.01 $2.01

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$59.1 $59.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.65 $2.65

$5.09 $5.09

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.66 $1.66

$1.83 $1.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.02 $30.02

$75.1 $75.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.07 $1.07

$1.05 $1.05

$1.33 $1.33

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.4K $34.4K

$26.5K $26.5K

$44.2K $44.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.1K $27.1K

$25.4K $25.4K

$31.8K $31.8K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$233 $233

$102 $102

$406 $406

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$72.7 $72.7

$43.74 $43.74

$122 $122

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$50.7 $50.7

$152 $152

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.17 $43.17

$17.57 $17.57

$50.2 $50.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.08 $10.08

Cinema Ticket

$11.84 $11.84

$19.73 $19.73

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,052 $2,052

$1,966 $1,966

$2,069 $2,069

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.4K $31.4K

$24.8K $24.8K

$32.8K $32.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$39.24 $39.24

$63.8 $63.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.53 $24.53

$63.8 $63.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.5 $60.5

$101 $101

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 $102

$96.9 $96.9

$204 $204

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,609 $1,609

$1,205 $1,205

$1,865 $1,865

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,342 $1,342

$992 $992

$1,487 $1,487

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,002 $2,002

$3,002 $3,002

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,245 $2,245

$1,717 $1,717

$2,525 $2,525

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,451 $2,451

$1,798 $1,798

$2,451 $2,451

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,674 $2,674

$2,184 $2,184

$2,674 $2,674

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,036 $4,036

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.8

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Chelan, WA - Frequently Asked Questions

The Cost of Living in Chelan, WA, United States varies with season, but it tends to sit in the mid-range for small resort towns. You’ll find a balance: steady everyday costs paired with occasional spikes around peak lake season. Waterfront and vacation rentals can push prices higher, while groceries, dining, and routine services stay workable if you plan ahead and mix options. Longer stays, off-season visits, and self-catering help you stretch budgets without sacrificing quality of life. You’ll also gain value from easy access to outdoor activities that reduce entertainment spend. Tip: align your plans with shoulder seasons to maximize value while enjoying the scenery.

Expect a mix of lakefront charm and compact town infrastructure. For housing, search downtown Chelan and lake-adjacent neighborhoods for walkable access, then expand to hillside pockets for more value. Food options range from farmers markets and seasonal produce to casual eateries, with groceries covering daily needs and occasional indulgences. Transportation is car-centric, with biking feasible in good weather and limited public transit. For errands, plan to combine trips to markets, the post office, and services in a single outing. Chelan, WA, United States living cost is a useful guide as you compare short stays to longer commitments. Tip: test neighborhoods during a few different days and seasons.

Chelan offers a quality-of-life rhythm built on outdoor access, small-town amenities, and seasonal energy. To budget effectively, use a simple framework: prioritize fixed, predictable costs (housing or rent) and flexible daily spending (food, activities). Consider shoulder seasons for lower crowding and better deals on stays, while winter months bring quiet evenings and starlit skies. Neighborhood fit depends on lifestyle: lakeside or downtown areas suit social and work-friendly needs; hillside zones offer serenity and potentially lower rents. Embrace low-effort routines – local markets, public docks, and bike routes – to keep spontaneity alive without overspending. Tip: build a short list of must-haves and test them during a realistic week in different seasons.