Vancouver, Washington
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Vancouver.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Vancouver?
For relocators asking how much Vancouver costs: the housing index sits at 133 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $440,300 and rents near $1,632. Local median income is about $78,156 and unemployment recently ran 3.9% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 25 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 480.5 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 133U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $440,300U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,632U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $78,156U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.9%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 25 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 480.5per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 79°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Vancouver compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 198,992City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $78,156Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 133ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year33% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $440,300City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year45% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,632City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year21% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.9%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 25 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 4011% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 480.5annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)18% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3241.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)Near U.S. avg (3087.9)U.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 79°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 35°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (34°F)U.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 37.5 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals14% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 202As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals25% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Vancouver grew 18.7% from 167,595 in 2010 to 198,992 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Vancouver expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Vancouver runs 33 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 133 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $440,300 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,632 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Vancouver?
Budget first around $1,632/month rent or $440,300 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $440,300
- Median rent $1,632/month
- Median household income $78,156
What is the job market like in Vancouver?
Labor-market context for Vancouver: unemployment 3.9% and median income $78,156. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.9% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $78,156
How long is the typical commute in Vancouver?
Plan on roughly 25 minutes each way in Vancouver. Walk Score estimates around 40 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 25 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 40/100
Is Vancouver safer than similar U.S. cities?
Vancouver's FBI-derived violent rate (~480.5/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 480.5 per 100k
- Property 3241.6 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Vancouver?
Vancouver's climate profile: 79°F summer peaks, 35°F winter mornings, 37.5" annual rainfall, and 202 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 79°F
- Winter low 35°F
- 37.5 in rain · 202 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Vancouver, Washington will find roughly 198,992 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $78,156; our housing-derived cost index is about 133 (above the national housing-cost baseline). Budget for median rents around $1,632 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Gray winters west of the Cascades and dry inland basins split lifestyles. Pack for 79°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 35°F. Commutes average near 25 minutes one-way, with walkability near 40/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 3.9% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 480.5 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Vancouver is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Vancouver with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Vancouver city, 1600000US5374060) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Clark County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00094298 VANCOUVER PEARSON AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10