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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,022 (excluding rent), and $1,887 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,173 (excluding rent), and $4,026 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.76 $14.76

$13.77 $13.77

$38.37 $38.37

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$45.24 $45.24

$201 $201

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.99 $11.99

$15.47 $15.47

Cappuccino

$5.41 $5.41

$3.55 $3.55

$8.11 $8.11

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

$1.51 $1.51

$4.04 $4.04

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.24 $1.24

$0.99 $0.99

$4.95 $4.95

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.11 $5.11

$4.60 $4.60

$10.21 $10.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.89 $7.89

$5.92 $5.92

$12.82 $12.82

Milk (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.91 $0.91

$2.14 $2.14

White Bread (500g)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.15 $2.15

$7.59 $7.59

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.93 $4.93

$2.48 $2.48

$11.23 $11.23

Eggs

$4.17 $4.17

$2.78 $2.78

$8.93 $8.93

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$10.86 $10.86

$43.46 $43.46

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.47 $6.47

$6.45 $6.45

$25.91 $25.91

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.00 $14.00

$12.31 $12.31

$26.91 $26.91

Apples (1kg)

$4.00 $4.00

$2.26 $2.26

$9.07 $9.07

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 $1.18

$0.65 $0.65

$5.62 $5.62

Oranges (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$3.11 $3.11

$13.32 $13.32

Tomato (1kg)

$3.99 $3.99

$3.22 $3.22

$8.65 $8.65

Potato (1kg)

$1.51 $1.51

$0.87 $0.87

$6.53 $6.53

Onion (1kg)

$2.16 $2.16

$1.73 $1.73

$6.51 $6.51

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.06 $2.06

$1.85 $1.85

$4.12 $4.12

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.61 $1.61

$0.97 $0.97

$3.88 $3.88

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.83 $7.83

$6.36 $6.36

$14.68 $14.68

Wine (Bottle)

$15.53 $15.53

$15.03 $15.03

$20.04 $20.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.89 $2.89

$1.71 $1.71

$4.24 $4.24

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.95 $1.95

$7.79 $7.79

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.27 $1.27

$2.04 $2.04

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.63 $2.63

$2.58 $2.58

$7.94 $7.94

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.82 $1.82

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.48 $29.48

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.99 $0.99

$1.28 $1.28

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

$32.5K $32.5K

$28.4K $28.4K

$37.2K $37.2K

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

$26.3K $26.3K

$25.2K $25.2K

$29.3K $29.3K

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

$125 $125

$99.6 $99.6

$417 $417

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

$39.80 $39.80

$34.83 $34.83

$109 $109

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.8 $70.8

$50.6 $50.6

$121 $121

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.31 $25.31

$17.72 $17.72

$50.6 $50.6

Cinema Ticket

$16.09 $16.09

$14.08 $14.08

$21.12 $21.12

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

$2,276 $2,276

$1,517 $1,517

$3,034 $3,034

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.7K $29.7K

$28.3K $28.3K

$35.3K $35.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$44.68 $44.68

$34.75 $34.75

$99.3 $99.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.68 $35.68

$30.58 $30.58

$81.5 $81.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.7 $90.7

$68.7 $68.7

$147 $147

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$117 $117

$39.84 $39.84

$199 $199

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$943 $943

$1,843 $1,843

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$791 $791

$1,483 $1,483

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,847 $1,847

$1,697 $1,697

$1,997 $1,997

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,481 $1,481

$2,469 $2,469

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,508 $4,508

$4,476 $4,476

$4,541 $4,541

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,358 $4,358

$4,326 $4,326

$4,390 $4,390

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,818 $1,818

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

7.4

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

Last update: March 2, 2026

Ellensburg, WA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Ellensburg, WA - Frequently Asked Questions

The Cost of Living in Ellensburg, WA offers a balanced mix of affordable essentials and a slower pace compared with larger West Coast cities. You can often secure reasonable housing terms and steady utility costs, while groceries, meals, and services stay predictable without premium surcharges. The value tends to go to those who prioritize a small‑town feel, reliable internet, and access to outdoor recreation within a compact area. Seasonal campus activity can cause brief fluctuations, but long stays typically feel manageable for budgets aligned to a modest lifestyle. Tip: Build a simple monthly budget that tracks housing, utilities, and transportation.

Within the Ellensburg, WA living cost frame, daily life tends to be practical and easy to budget. Housing options range from compact apartments to larger rentals near the university, often with straightforward terms for longer stays. Food scenes mix farmers markets, casual eateries, and steady groceries that balance price and quality. Getting around is flexible – bike-friendly streets, car access, and regional buses cover the basics, while a few coworking spaces and cafés offer reliable Wi‑Fi for work. Errands stay manageable thanks to a walkable core and nearby services. Tip: Map a weekly loop for groceries, coffee, and essentials to cut trips.

Quality of life improves when budgeting follows a simple framework and neighborhood fit. A three‑bucket approach – housing and utilities, everyday essentials, and discretionary spending – lets you adapt as seasons and schedules shift. Ellensburg’s slower pace often means you can stretch a dollar further in groceries and services, but campus calendar and harvest seasons can briefly shift demand for housing and dining. To find a good mix, explore downtown for walkability, the university area for amenities, and outer neighborhoods for quieter streets and parking options. Tip: Seasonality matters – plan a buffer for summer events or winter weather when coordinating errands and transport.