Living in Chelan, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chelan · Census data 2020–2024
Chelan has 4,350 residents with a median age of 46.4. The median household income is $82,637 (16% lower than the Washington median), the median home value is $518,000, the median rent is $1,368/month.
Chelan at a glance
- Population
- 4,350
- Median age
- 46.4State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $82,637State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $518,000State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $1,368/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 56.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28.3%
- Average commute
- 14 min
Is Chelan a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 8% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes; unemployment of 1.6%; a poverty rate of 8.4%.
Cons: Median household income 16% lower than the Washington median.
The weather is best in May to July and September.
Cost of living in Chelan
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chelan the median home value is $518,000, 56% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,368 per month, which is 24.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,114 a month in housing costs.
Chelan median household income
The median household income in Chelan is $82,637 and the income per person is $44,453. 8.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Chelan: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,867
- Owner-occupied
- 56.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 43.6%
- Vacant
- 35.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1984
- Average household size
- 2.35
35.9% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Chelan has many vacation and second homes.
Chelan demographics
- Population
- 4,350
- Median age
- 46.4
- Under 18
- 17.3%
- 65 and older
- 22.7%
- Households
- 1,839
- Foreign-born
- 19.6%
- Veterans
- 6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chelan ›
Education in Chelan
28.3% of adults 25 and older in Chelan have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 15.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chelan
- Unemployment rate
- 1.6%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 14 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 10.4%
- Drive alone
- 61.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 14%
- Homes with broadband
- 96.1%
Chelan vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelan | 4,350 | $82,637 | $518,000 | $1,368 |
| Manson | 1,462 | $91,319 | $596,700 | $2,033 |
| Waterville | 1,250 | $78,589 | $262,000 | $1,200 |
| Entiat | 1,284 | $76,111 | $364,500 | $1,375 |
| Pateros | 583 | $69,091 | $278,800 | — |
| Mansfield | 298 | $61,458 | $212,500 | $575 |
| Bridgeport | 1,792 | $52,375 | $177,000 | $763 |
| Brewster | 1,653 | $39,241 | $239,600 | $1,005 |
| Sunnyslope | 3,706 | $135,769 | $714,200 | $1,306 |
More for people moving to Chelan
Chelan ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chelan: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chelan, WA?
The median household income in Chelan is $82,637, 16% 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 Chelan?
The median home value in Chelan is $518,000, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Chelan?
The median gross rent in Chelan is $1,368 per month, about 24.4% of household income.
Is Chelan, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 8% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes; unemployment of 1.6%; a poverty rate of 8.4%. Minuses: median household income 16% lower than the Washington median.
What is the median age in Chelan?
The median age in Chelan is 46.4 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Chelan?
The average commute to work in Chelan is 14 minutes; 10.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chelan?
The unemployment rate in Chelan is 1.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chelan?
28.3% of adults in Chelan 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.
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