What are the schools like in Nespelem, WA?

Nespelem is served primarily by Nespelem School District. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.4:1.

What is the median household income in Nespelem?

The median household income in Nespelem, WA is $45,625 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.1%.

What is the weather like in Nespelem, WA?

Nespelem has an average high temperature of 32.7°F in January and 87.6°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 27.7 inches and annual snowfall averages 27.9 inches.

Nespelem, WA Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Nespelem, WA affordable or expensive?

Nespelem's cost of living index is 96, where 100 represents the national average. This means Nespelem is 4% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $83,800 and the median rent is $1,042 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Nespelem, WA?

Crime rate data for Nespelem is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Nespelem, WA a Good Place to Live?

Nespelem is a small town of 155 in Washington, with a median household income of $45,625 and a 6.1% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 96 (US average = 100), which is 4% below the national average.

Strengths: Nespelem stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Nespelem is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Nespelem city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 96.5

Nespelem's overall cost of living index is 96.5, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Nespelem costs roughly 4% less than the average American city.

Metric	Nespelem, WA	National Avg
Median Home Value	$83,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,042	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	72.3%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$45,625	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Nespelem is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Nespelem is served primarily by Nespelem School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.4:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Nespelem, WA	National Avg
School District	Nespelem School District	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	10.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	88.3%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Nespelem sees average highs of 32.7°F in January and 87.6°F in July, with 27.7 inches of annual precipitation and 27.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Nespelem, WA
Average High — January	32.7°F
Average High — July	87.6°F
Annual Precipitation	27.7"
Annual Snowfall	27.9"

Demographics

Metric	Nespelem, WA	National Avg
Population	155	—
Median Age	33.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.1%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	16.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	7.7%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.9%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	18.7%	22.2%
65 and over	16.8%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Nespelem Community, WA 4 mi Elmer City, WA 11 mi Keller, WA 13 mi Coulee Dam, WA 14 mi Grand Coulee, WA 16 mi

Nespelem vs Other Cities

Nespelem, WA vs Nespelem Community, WA Nespelem, WA vs Elmer City, WA Nespelem, WA vs Keller, WA Nespelem, WA vs Coulee Dam, WA Nespelem, WA vs Grand Coulee, WA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nespelem, WA affordable or expensive?

Nespelem's cost of living index is 96, where 100 is the national average. That makes Nespelem roughly 4% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $83,800 and median rent is $1,042/month.

What is the crime rate in Nespelem, WA?

Crime data for Nespelem is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Nespelem?

Public schools in Nespelem are operated by Nespelem School District. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.4:1. 10.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Nespelem, WA a good place to live?

Nespelem, WA has a population of 155, a median household income of $45,625, and an unemployment rate of 6.1%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Nespelem?

Nespelem averages 32.7°F in January and 87.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 27.7 inches with about 27.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Nespelem?

The population of Nespelem, Washington is 155 with a median age of 33.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Nespelem?

Key numbers for living in Nespelem: cost of living index 96 (100 = US average), median home $83,800, median household income $45,625, schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Nespelem side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.