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Port Townsend, WA

Cost of living in Jefferson County, WA

Estimated monthly cost
$2,885/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 33,313 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,114 39%
Healthcare $480 17%
Federal tax $455 16%
Groceries $369 13%
Transport $250 9%
Energy $157 5%
Water $60 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Jefferson County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,072
per month
1 bedroom
$1,114
per month
2 bedroom
$1,233
per month
3 bedroom
$1,728
per month
4 bedroom
$2,071
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Jefferson County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$71,143
per year
Individual earnings
$37,858
per year
Per capita
$49,853
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Jefferson County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$495,100
Annual property tax
$3,596

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Jefferson County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$109
per month · 11.5¢/kWh
Natural gas
$48
per month
Annual total
$1,884
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Jefferson County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.1%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Jefferson County

State and local tax rates for Washington.

No state income tax
Washington does not levy a personal income tax.
State sales tax
6.5%
Combined sales tax
10.2%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Jefferson County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
23.5 min
Drive alone
62.1%
Public transit
1.5%
Work from home
21.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Jefferson County

What it costs to live in Jefferson County each month.

Single person
$2,885
per month
  • Rent $1,114
  • Energy $157
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $369
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $455
  • State tax $0
Couple
$4,150
per month
  • Rent $1,233
  • Energy $188
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $611
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $834
  • State tax $0
Family
$6,811
per month
  • Rent $1,728
  • Energy $236
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $928
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $834
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Jefferson County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Jefferson County?

In Jefferson County, WA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,114 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,233 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,728 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Jefferson County?

In Jefferson County, WA, the average household income is $71,143 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $37,858 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Jefferson County?

The estimated cost of living in Jefferson County, WA is approximately $2,885 per month for a single person, $4,150 for a couple, $6,811 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Jefferson County?

The combined sales tax rate in Jefferson County, WA is 10.23%, which includes the Washington state rate of 6.50% plus an average local rate of 3.73%.

Is Jefferson County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Jefferson County, WA would need approximately $2,885 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $71,143 per year ($5,929 per month). Jefferson County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Jefferson County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Jefferson County, WA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Jefferson County?

The average home value in Jefferson County, WA is $495,100, with average annual property taxes of $3,596, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Jefferson County compare to other areas?

You can compare Jefferson County, WA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Jefferson County is in the Port Townsend, WA metro area.

Other counties in Washington

Browse the full list of counties in Washington, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Washington

Compare Jefferson County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources