Yakima

Yakima, Washington Overview

Yakima faces challenges across several categories, earning a C grade (46.8/100) and ranking #19 of 20 cities in Washington. Even so, the city scores 73/100 in Environment — a relative bright spot compared to its Outdoor Access score of 35/100.

Income & Employment in Yakima

Yakima’s median income of $61,776 is 32% below the state median, but positive population growth of 0.5% signals that affordability or other factors are still attracting residents. The local unemployment rate is 5.8%.

Safety in Yakima

Yakima’s violent crime rate of 467.4 per 100,000 runs above the Washington average of 372. The property crime rate is 2381.8 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Yakima

Yakima has a cost of living index of 98 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly below the national benchmark. The median home value is $273,400. Median monthly rent is $1,075. Renters spend 20.9% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Yakima

The adult obesity rate in Yakima is 39.7%, above the national average and a factor in the city’s health profile. The diabetes prevalence rate is 12.9%. Residents report an average of 18.1 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Washington ranks #7 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Yakima

Yakima has a high school graduation rate of 76.2%. The student-teacher ratio is 17.4:1. Local districts invest $17,676 per student, well above the national median. The city has 39 public schools serving 22,758 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Yakima

The annual average temperature in Yakima is 49.5°F. Summers average 70.5°F. Winters average 31.4°F. Annual precipitation is 20.8 inches. The average commute of 17 minutes is notably short.

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