City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Moses Lake, WA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Moses Lake - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

25,594
Residents
$71,854
Median income
$278,100
Median home
$1,232
Median rent (state)

Moses Lake - the verdict

Nationally, Moses Lake sits in the 52nd percentile for household income and the 5th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

52nd
percentile, household income
61st
percentile, home value
39th
percentile, median rent
5th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Moses Lake, WA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 25,594 residents in Moses Lake, a small city within Washington. Moses Lake households earn a median of $71,854 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.4%. Moses Lake's housing stock carries a median value of $278,100, and the median resident age is 32.3 years. Educational attainment runs 21.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 60.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 164 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Growing), up 19% from five years earlier. Moses Lake's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 4631.2 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Washington carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Washington scores 107.0 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,232 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Washington's average monthly utility costs around $188 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 76.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

25,594 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$71,854 /yr

Poverty 12.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Moses Lake compare to other US cities?

Where Moses Lake sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 52% higher than other cities
Home value 61% pricier than other cities
Median rent 39% pricier than other cities
Safety 5% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Washington alone, Moses Lake ranks #145 of 156 Washington cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Moses Lake's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Washington, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

52ndIncome percentile
5thSafety percentile

52nd percentile nationally for median household income · 5th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Moses Lake's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Moses Lake's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 36 Avg. percentile National median
Moses Lake's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Moses Lake's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$278,100 39th percentile more affordable than 39% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Moses Lake $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Moses Lake, WA Moses Lake, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Moses Lake, WA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Moses Lake, WA median $71,854/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Moses Lake, WA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Moses Lake, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
25,594
Median Income
$71,854
Median Home Value
$278,100
Median Age
32.3
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Labor force participation
60.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4631.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
394.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4236.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
20
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
25,000 residents26,000 residents27,000 residents28,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 25,432 residents 27,469 residents ▲ +8.0%
Moses Lake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
164
housing units authorized
Single-Family
164
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 138
2020 126
2021 180
2022 175
2023 146
2024 164

Permit volume increased 19% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.0%
Carpool
11.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.9%
Work from Home
5.4%
Other
0.7%

Based on 11,743 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Washington - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$48
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$188
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Washington state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Washington state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Moses Lake sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,232/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
76.9 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Mill Creek East
25,461 people
Mercer Island
25,282 people
Tumwater
26,519 people
Bainbridge Island
24,607 people
Camas
26,779 people
Oak Harbor
24,396 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Moses Lake's 25,594 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Inkster, MI
25,602 people
South Bradenton, FL
25,585 people
Nocatee, FL
25,581 people
Cliffside Park, NJ
25,580 people
Starkville, MS
25,611 people
Happy Valley, OR
25,572 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Moses Lake's $71,854 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Billings, MT
$71,855 median income
Wildwood, FL
$71,858 median income
Kent Acres, DE
$71,848 median income
Center Point, TX
$71,848 median income
Boulder Canyon, SD
$71,846 median income
Mesquite, TX
$71,843 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Moses Lake, WA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Moses Lake, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 61.6% 14.4% 19.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 37.7% White 61.6% Black or African American 2.7% Asian 1.2% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 14.4% Two or more races 19.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Moses Lake compares to nearby Washington cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Moses Lake (this city) 25,594 $71,854
Mill Creek East 25,461 $183,466
Mercer Island 25,282 $202,359
Tumwater 26,519 $93,635
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Moses Lake, WA?

What is the population of Moses Lake, WA? +

The population of Moses Lake, WA stands at 25,594 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Moses Lake, WA? +

Median annual household income in Moses Lake runs $71,854, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Moses Lake? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Moses Lake; the closest available measure is the Washington state average, a cost of living index of 107.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Washington vary by metro area.

Is Moses Lake, WA safe? +

Moses Lake has a total crime rate of 4631.2 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Moses Lake, WA? +

The median home value in Moses Lake is $278,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.