Cost of Living

In Kitsap County, the cost of everyday life has started to feel overwhelming. Month after month, people watch more of their paycheck go to housing, transportation, utilities, and basic necessities - with less left over for savings, family, or peace of mind. Many are doing everything right and still feeling behind. The data simply confirms what residents already know: in the 2025 Kitsap County National Community Survey, only 1 in 5 residents say the cost of living is good or excellent.

Daria approaches this challenge with a mindset shaped outside of politics. For two decades, he worked in the private sector where rising costs were not abstract - they showed up immediately in budgets, operations, and people’s lives. When something became inefficient, misaligned, or wasteful, it had to be fixed. That experience matters in Olympia, where well-intended decisions can quietly raise costs if no one is responsible for how they play out in the real world. Daria brings a practical, accountable approach focused on reducing friction, improving coordination, and making sure policies help - not hurt - people’s monthly budgets.

What the data - and lived experience - tell us

• Only 20% of Kitsap residents view the cost of living as affordable

• Kitsap’s cost of living is higher than the national average

• Transportation, utilities, and housing-related expenses create the greatest monthly strain

• Cost pressure affects renters, homeowners, workers, and those on fixed incomes

• Real relief requires follow-through, coordination, and cost discipline

Daria’s Livability First standard is simple: policies should make everyday life more affordable, more predictable, and more stable - so people can stay rooted, plan ahead, and breathe a little easier.

Why this matters in Olympia: Because the people making decisions should be accountable for how those decisions show up in real household budgets.