Living in Ellensburg, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ellensburg · Census data 2020–2024
Ellensburg has 20,874 residents with a median age of 25. The median household income is $55,438 (44% lower than the Washington median), the median home value is $404,100, the median rent is $1,340/month.
Ellensburg at a glance
- Population
- 20,874
- Median age
- 25State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $55,438State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $404,100State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $1,340/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 32.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41.4%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Ellensburg a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 28% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 44% lower than the Washington median; unemployment of 8.9%; a poverty rate of 22.4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Ellensburg
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ellensburg the median home value is $404,100, 21% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,340 per month, which is 36.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,854 a month in housing costs.
Ellensburg median household income
The median household income in Ellensburg is $55,438 and the income per person is $31,113. 22.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Ellensburg: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,508
- Owner-occupied
- 32.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 67.1%
- Vacant
- 5.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1991
- Average household size
- 2.16
Ellensburg demographics
- Population
- 20,874
- Median age
- 25
- Under 18
- 14.5%
- 65 and older
- 9.9%
- Households
- 8,972
- Foreign-born
- 5.9%
- Veterans
- 6.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ellensburg ›
Education in Ellensburg
41.4% of adults 25 and older in Ellensburg have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 18.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ellensburg
- Unemployment rate
- 8.9%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 10.2%
- Drive alone
- 68.7%
- Public transit
- 0.9%
- Walk to work
- 8.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.2%
Ellensburg vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellensburg | 20,874 | $55,438 | $404,100 | $1,340 |
| Kittitas | 1,221 | $80,278 | $316,700 | $1,351 |
| Thorp | 230 | $120,739 | $372,700 | $1,433 |
| Naches | 1,059 | $54,286 | $271,700 | $1,458 |
| Nile | 349 | $105,151 | $431,900 | — |
| Tieton | 1,597 | $60,144 | $230,800 | $977 |
| South Cle Elum | 579 | $66,750 | $374,300 | $1,661 |
| Cle Elum | 1,905 | $63,973 | $451,000 | $1,295 |
| Eschbach | 181 | $79,375 | $605,500 | — |
More for people moving to Ellensburg
Ellensburg ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ellensburg: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ellensburg, WA?
The median household income in Ellensburg is $55,438, 44% 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 Ellensburg?
The median home value in Ellensburg is $404,100, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Ellensburg?
The median gross rent in Ellensburg is $1,340 per month, about 36.1% of household income.
Is Ellensburg, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 28% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 44% lower than the Washington median; unemployment of 8.9%; a poverty rate of 22.4%.
What is the median age in Ellensburg?
The median age in Ellensburg is 25 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Ellensburg?
The average commute to work in Ellensburg is 18 minutes; 10.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ellensburg?
The unemployment rate in Ellensburg is 8.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ellensburg?
41.4% of adults in Ellensburg 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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