Wednesday, Oct 26 2011 12:43PM
In addition to extensive housing costs, healthcare expenses have made the cost of living in Washington increase, a report reveals.
The cost of living in Washington State increased during the past 10 years, due in part to growing housing and healthcare expenses, a report by the University of Washington indicates.
According to the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State 2011, the cost of housing hiked 10 percent on average in counties statewide, many of which are in rural areas. In addition, elevated healthcare costs contributed to the jump in the annual income needed by state residents to meet basic needs.
For instance, in Walla Walla County, a mostly rural county, there was a 26 percent increase in cost of living during the past decade. The income needed for residents of the county to meet basic needs grew from $26,995 in 2001 to $42,692 this year.
"Even as wages have stagnated and unemployment doubled during the Great Recession, the cost of meeting basic needs has continued to rise, putting an economic squeeze on families who are struggling to survive in this difficult economy," said Diana Pearce, director of the Center for Women's Welfare at the UW School of Social Work and author of the report.
The high rural unemployment rate in Washington remains an issue for many residents. The Daily Yonder, citing Labor Department statistics, reports the state's rural jobless rate during August was 9.6 percent.
For further reference, check out these sources:
University of Washington,
The Daily Yonder