Living in the Tri-Cities can help you stretch your dollar.
The latest ACCRA Cost of Living Index, which tracks cost of living trends nationwide, says the Tri-Cities still is the least expensive place to live in the Pacific Northwest.
The index gave the Tri-Cities a 88.9 composite rating in its third quarter listing.
Though the cost of transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services increased marginally in the area in the third quarter compared with the previous quarter, the declines in housing and grocery costs helped the Tri-Cities improve its current rating by 1.0 point.
In the second quarter, the Tri-Cities composite rating was 89.9.
More than 350 communities are included in the index.
Spokane at 93.5; Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton at 95.1 and Boise at 96.0 are the closest competitors of the Tri-Cities.
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Mid-Columbia cost of living rising faster than state average
Mid-Columbia cost of living rising faster than state average
The cost of living in Benton and Franklin counties has gone up faster than the state average in the past two years.
The price of housing was the biggest contributor here and statewide, along with health and child care, according to a study released Friday by a University of Washington research group.
Wages also have not kept pace with living expenses, said the study.
Marlene L. Sherman
Marlene L. Sherman
Marlene Louise Sherman, 65, of Kennewick, died Aug. 18 in Kennewick.
She was born in Yakima and lived in the Tri-City area for 22 years.
Mueller's Tri-Cities Fune-ral Home, Kennewick, is in charge of arrangements.
Margaret Martens
Margaret Martens
Margaret Martens, 87, of Richland, died Oct. 25 in Richland.
She was born in Woodburn, Ore., and lived in the Tri-Cities for 47 years.
She was a homemaker.
Barbara A. Lawley
Barbara A. Lawley
Barbara A. Lawley, 70, of Richland, died Nov. 29 in Richland.
She was born in Tacoma and lived in the Tri-Cities for 40 years.
She was a homemaker.
Lillian Beatty
Lillian Beatty
Lillian Beatty, 84, of Kennewick, died Dec. 29 in Kennewick.
She was born in Oklahoma and lived in the Tri-Cities for 59 years.
She was a homemaker.
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