In Mercer Island, median rent is $2,763 a month, 77% above the U.S. average, and the monthly payment on a median-priced home is about $16,327 (500% above average). The average wage is $130,200 a year (75% above average). Of 29 everyday prices tracked here, 27 are above the national average.
Open the charts for Mercer Island →The charts show each price back to 1950. Older local figures there are estimates.
Among the 76 Washington places and the 47 places in the Seattle metro with at least 20,000 people:
Measured locally: Census Bureau figures for Mercer Island, WA.
| Item | Mercer Island | U.S. average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $2,763 | $1,560 | 77% more |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $16,327 | $2,721 | 500% more |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $15,891 | $4,380 | 263% more |
Measured locally: BLS average wages for King County.
| Item | Mercer Island | U.S. average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $130,200 | $74,400 | 75% more |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $9,960 | $5,692 | 75% more |
Gas: EIA state or city averages. Car insurance: NAIC state averages. Parking, rides and transit passes are estimates.
| Item | Mercer Island | U.S. average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| A monthly transit passUnlimited local bus or rail | $110 | $106 | 4% more |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $94.40 | $68.85 | 37% more |
| 15-minute Uber rideTypical UberX fare, since the 2012 launch | $31.59 | $29.50 | 7% more |
| Parking, per hourDowntown meter or garage | $3.35 | $4.05 | 17% less |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $1,564 | $1,740 | 10% less |
Estimates: national prices scaled to regional price levels for the Seattle metro.
| Item | Mercer Island | U.S. average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | $3.96 | $3.80 | 4% more |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | $4.33 | $4.15 | 4% more |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | $58.61 | $55.90 | 5% more |
| Cup of coffeeBrewed coffee at a café or diner | $3.67 | $3.45 | 7% more |
| Pint of domestic beerAt a bar or restaurant | $7.86 | $7.30 | 8% more |
| Six-pack of domestic beer12 oz cans, grocery store | $11.68 | $11.20 | 4% more |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $6.24 | $6.05 | 3% more |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $14.26 | $13.60 | 5% more |
Estimates: national prices scaled to regional price levels for the Seattle metro, and to local wages for some services.
| Item | Mercer Island | U.S. average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $12.30 | $11.55 | 7% more |
| A haircutBasic cut at a barber or salon | $56.26 | $34.00 | 65% more |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $8.93 | $8.65 | 3% more |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $307 | $164 | 87% more |
| Home internet billMonthly; dial-up until the mid-2000s | $78.66 | $77.00 | 2% more |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $110 | $108 | 2% more |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $41.48 | $39.50 | 5% more |
Estimates: national prices scaled to regional price levels for the Seattle metro, and to local wages for some services.
| Item | Mercer Island | U.S. average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | $2,267 | $1,370 | 65% more |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $12,051 | $11,800 | 2% more |
| Doctor’s visit, no insuranceRoutine office visit, paid out of pocket | $202 | $194 | 4% more |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | $2,300 | $2,240 | 3% more |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | $16,375 | $15,700 | 4% more |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $48,129 | $34,700 | 39% more |
How these prices have changed since 1950, nationally: Daycare for one toddler · A year of public university · Family health premium · Having a baby in hospital · A wedding · A dozen eggs · A gallon of milk · Thanksgiving dinner for 10 · A movie ticket · A pack of cigarettes · A night in a hotel · Salary · Payroll tax · Big Mac · Ham & cheese sandwich groceries · Tank of gas · Car insurance · Monthly rent · Monthly mortgage payment · Property tax · Cable TV bill · MLB game ticket
| Place | Rent | Mortgage payment | Average wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer Island, WA | $2,763 | $16,327 | $130,200 |
| Seattle, WA | $2,242 | $7,676 | $130,200 |
| Tacoma, WA | $1,850 | $3,924 | $69,266 |
| Bellevue, WA | $2,839 | $10,964 | $130,200 |
| Kent, WA | $2,108 | $4,808 | $130,200 |
| Everett, WA | $1,920 | $4,623 | $78,641 |
| Renton, WA | $2,206 | $5,502 | $130,200 |
Rent and home values are for Mercer Island, WA; other prices are for the Seattle metro. National prices are scaled to Mercer Island using local cost levels: rent, home values and property tax bills from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, wages from the BLS, gas from the EIA, car insurance from NAIC state averages, and other goods and services from the Bureau of Economic Analysis’s regional price parities. Parking has no national source and is estimated from the town’s size and density. Figures are as of September 2026. More on the method.