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Retirement community in University Place, Washington

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University Place, Washington Retirement Guide

established retirement community
72

Retirement Score

University Place, Washington at a Glance

Median Home Price
$509,900
State Income Tax
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.
Avg January Low
36°F
Cost of Living Index
110 (US avg = 100)
Best For
established retirement community
RetireCityIQ Score
72 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for University Place, Washington, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
110 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$89,658High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

University Place's cost of living is 10% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$509,900High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,565High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
58.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in University Place using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$1,105

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,241

Median home price used: $509,900

Median rent reference: $1,565 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in University Place, Washington after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
Care Access (Proxy)
100 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
46.7 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. University Place scores 100 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in University Place

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in University Place

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
100 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Washington has a tax environment that is highly favorable for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
79.8°FMedium confidence
Avg January Low
36°FMedium confidence
Annual Precipitation
44.2"Medium confidence
Sunny Days / Year
248 daysMedium confidence

With 248 sunny days a year and an average January low of 36°F, University Place offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
96.6 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
14.5 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
10.1 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
34,696High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
38.6High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
18.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
9.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
41.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
64.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
7.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
11.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
11.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in University Place

Is University Place, Washington a good place to retire?

University Place, Washington is one of the US retirement-friendly cities tracked by RetireCityIQ. Notable retirement-relevant traits include established retirement community. See the at-a-glance card on this page for the cost of living, state tax treatment, climate, and healthcare access metrics.

What is the cost of living in University Place, Washington for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 110, roughly 10% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $509,900.

Does Washington tax Social Security or retirement income?

For Washington residents: No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.

What is the climate like in University Place, Washington?

University Place, Washington has January average low around 36°F, July average high around 80°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in University Place, Washington?

University Place scores 100/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a top-tier score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Interested in University Place? Talk to a Local Expert.

State Preferences (select all that interest you)

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