Moses Lake, WA

Washington

Moses Lake is a small city in Washington with a population of 25,594. Residents earn $71,854 per year, which is 4% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
25,594 Population 1,411/sq mi density
$71,854 Median Income $34,591 per capita
$278,100 Home Value $362,086 Zillow
$1,203 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
459 Violent Crime/100K 6,747 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$71,854 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$278,100 home value, $1,203/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
459 violent crimes/100K (21% above avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,854
4% lower than US avg
Home Value $278,100
1% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 459/100K
21% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.7%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,203
3% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.8%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.4%
0% lower than US avg

How Moses Lake Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population25,594
Median Age32.3 yrs
Density1,411/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 62%

Economy

B+
Median Income$71,854
Per Capita$34,591
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty12.4%
County GDP$8,583M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$278,100
Rent$1,203
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$362,086

Crime

F
Violent459/100K
Property6,747/100K
Murder4.6/100K
Assault264/100K
Burglary1,302/100K

Health

Obesity37.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.2%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain7.8 in/yr
Elevation1,060 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.7%
High School+88.4%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 30%
Commute18 min
EV Stations6
Libraries10

Is Moses Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Moses Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include high health insurance coverage. Moses Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Moses Lake is $71,854, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Moses Lake is $278,100, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,203 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 459 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,747 per 100,000, 244% above the national average.

Education

21.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Moses Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 7.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Moses Lake has a population of 25,594 with a density of 1,411 people per square mile. The median age is 32.3 years, 17% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (61.6%), with 2.4% Hispanic, 2.7% Black.

Population

25,594
Total Population
1,411
People / sq mi
32.3yrs
Median Age
17% below US avg
18.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.6%
Female 51.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Moses Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only73.0%
7% below US avg
Spanish27.0%
101% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Moses Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Moses Lake is $71,854, which is 4% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Moses Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,854
4% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,591
Avg Weekly Wage$1,222
IRS Avg AGI$63,521

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.4%
0% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,694
County GDP$8,583M

Business (County)

Restaurants233
Healthcare186
Retail290
Manufacturing77

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,780
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.72%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.2 min
Work from Home5.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Moses Lake is $278,100, 1% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,203 (3% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $362,086.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$278,100
1% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$362,086
Median List Price$354,990

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$354,990
$/Sq Ft$219
Homes Sold29
Sale-to-List Ratio98.5%
Price Drops20.9%
Inventory129

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,203
3% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,531

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,082
1 Bedroom$1,180
2 Bedrooms$1,472
3 Bedrooms$2,003
4 Bedrooms$2,351

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,780
37% above US avg
Effective Rate1.72%
In Moses Lake, 37.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.2% report depression. 23.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Moses Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.8%
18% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure30.3%
Asthma11.0%
COPD5.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.7%
Physical Inactivity23.1%
Depression24.2%
Mental Distress18.0%
Physical Distress13.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.8%
Checkup Rate69.2%
Premature Death8,460/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access68.5%
Healthcare Facilities186
Moses Lake has a violent crime rate of 459 per 100,000 residents, 21% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,747 per 100,000 (244% above US avg). The murder rate is 4.6 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Moses Lake vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent458.8/100K
21% above US avg
Murder4.6/100K
27% below US avg
Rape92.7/100K
Robbery97.3/100K
Assault264.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,747.0/100K
244% above US avg
Burglary1,302.1/100K
Theft4,865.6/100K
Vehicle Theft579.2/100K
Arson37.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)28
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Moses Lake has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 7.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.9°F
6% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall7.8 inches
79% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,060 ft (323 m)
Area18.1 sq mi (47.0 km²)
Population Density1,411/sq mi
Coordinates47.1279°N, 119.2764°W
County FIPS53025
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 21.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 37.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.4%
D 30%

Winner: Republican by 37.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.7%
36% below US avg
High School+88.4%
School Test Score5.36
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density1,411/sq mi
Total Area18.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities186
Restaurants233
Retail Stores290

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)28
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.2 min
Work from Home5.4%

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