Living in Centralia, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Centralia · Census data 2020–2024
Centralia has 18,830 residents with a median age of 39. The median household income is $56,219 (43% lower than the Washington median), the median home value is $318,200, the median rent is $1,084/month.
Centralia at a glance
- Population
- 18,830
- Median age
- 39State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $56,219State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $318,200State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $1,084/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 60%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19.4%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Centralia a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 44% lower than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 43% lower than the Washington median; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 19.6%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Centralia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Centralia the median home value is $318,200, 4% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,084 per month, which is 32.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,663 a month in housing costs.
Centralia median household income
The median household income in Centralia is $56,219 and the income per person is $31,407. 19.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Centralia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 8,121
- Owner-occupied
- 60%
- Renter-occupied
- 40%
- Vacant
- 2.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 2.34
Centralia demographics
- Population
- 18,830
- Median age
- 39
- Under 18
- 18.9%
- 65 and older
- 20.7%
- Households
- 7,894
- Foreign-born
- 9.8%
- Veterans
- 7.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Centralia ›
Education in Centralia
19.4% of adults 25 and older in Centralia have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Centralia
- Unemployment rate
- 5.7%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 7.2%
- Drive alone
- 73.3%
- Public transit
- 1.6%
- Walk to work
- 2.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.3%
Centralia vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centralia | 18,830 | $56,219 | $318,200 | $1,084 |
| Fords Prairie | 1,823 | $55,608 | $368,000 | $1,161 |
| Chehalis | 7,587 | $73,702 | $372,900 | $1,102 |
| Grand Mound | 3,287 | $72,426 | $411,400 | $1,426 |
| Bucoda | 494 | $73,250 | $270,000 | $1,338 |
| Rochester | 5,834 | $99,286 | $445,300 | $1,161 |
| Napavine | 2,158 | $104,148 | $419,100 | $1,649 |
| Tenino | 2,025 | $82,639 | $369,000 | $1,400 |
| Oakville | 878 | $63,893 | $230,800 | $1,139 |
More for people moving to Centralia
Centralia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Centralia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Centralia, WA?
The median household income in Centralia is $56,219, 43% lower than the Washington median of $98,141 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Centralia?
The median home value in Centralia is $318,200, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Centralia?
The median gross rent in Centralia is $1,084 per month, about 32.3% of household income.
Is Centralia, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 44% lower than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes. Minuses: median household income 43% lower than the Washington median; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 19.6%.
What is the median age in Centralia?
The median age in Centralia is 39 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Centralia?
The average commute to work in Centralia is 26 minutes; 7.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Centralia?
The unemployment rate in Centralia is 5.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Centralia?
19.4% of adults in Centralia have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: