Laundromat vs. Renting a Washer & Dryer: What’s Actually Cheaper in the Tri-Cities?
- tricitiesappliance
- Oct 3, 2025
- 3 min read
If you’re living in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, or the surrounding Tri-Cities area, one of the most common questions is: Is it cheaper to keep going to the laundromat, or should I rent a washer and dryer for my home?
Most people assume laundromats are cheaper because you “only pay per load.” But when you factor in the real costs—money, time, gas, inconvenience—the answer becomes much clearer.
In this guide, we’ll break down the true cost of using a laundromat versus renting a washer and dryer, using real numbers based on Tri-Cities prices.
The Real Cost of Laundromats in the Tri-Cities
Most laundromats in the Tri-Cities charge:
$3.00–$4.00 per wash
$2.50–$3.50 per dry
$0.25–$0.50 per extra cycle (if your clothes don’t dry in time)
If you have a family doing 4–6 loads per week, the math quickly adds up:
Average laundromat cost in Tri-Cities (per week):
5 loads × $3.50 wash = $17.50
5 loads × $3.00 dry = $15.00
Total weekly cost: $32.50
Monthly cost: ~$130
Yearly cost: ~$1,500+
And that’s just the machine cost, not including:
Gas to drive there
Time spent waiting
Wear on your clothes from commercial machines
Doing laundry around someone else’s schedule
Crowded weekends
Lost or damaged items
For many families, laundromat trips also mean hauling kids, folding clothes in public, and spending hours each week doing something that could take minutes at home.
The True Cost of Renting a Washer & Dryer
A washer and dryer rental includes:
Delivery
Installation
A matching washer + dryer
Free repairs
Free replacements when needed
No unexpected bills
One simple monthly payment
With Tri-Cities Appliance Rentals, most families pay $60–$75 per month depending on their plan.
That means:
Average rental cost in Tri-Cities (per month):
Monthly payment: $60–$75
Gas to drive to laundromat: $0
Time spent waiting: $0
Repair costs: $0
Replacement cost: $0
Monthly savings vs laundromat:
Laundromat: ~$130 per month
Renting: $60–$75 per month
Savings: $60–$75 every single month
Yearly savings vs laundromat:
Save $660–$900+ per year AND you get unlimited laundry at home.
Cost Comparison Chart (Tri-Cities)
Cost Type | Laundromat | Renting (Tri-Cities Appliance Rentals) |
Monthly Cost | ~$130 | $60 –$75 |
Gas/Driving | $10–$20/week | $0 |
Time Spent | 2–5 hrs/week | 0 hrs |
Repairs | N/A | $0 (included) |
Replacement | $0 | $0 (included) |
Convenience | Low | Very High |
Total Yearly Cost | $1,500+ | $660–$900 |
Why Renting Is the Smart Choice for Most Families
For people in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland, Benton City, Hermiston, Sunnyside, or Walla Walla, renting is almost always the more affordable and convenient option.
You save money.
Laundromats cost about double what renting costs for most families.
You save time.
No more hauling clothes, planning around hours, or sitting in a laundromat.
You get reliability.
If something breaks, we repair or replace it—free.
You get unlimited laundry at home.
No more waiting, no more crowds, no more coins.
You avoid buying expensive appliances.
Most used washer/dryer sets are $400–$900 and may need repairs right away.
Who Gets the Most Benefit from Renting?
Renting is most popular for:
Renters
Apartment tenants
New movers
College students
Households on a budget
Anyone tired of laundromats
Anyone who does not want the risk or cost of buying used appliances
Final Thoughts: Laundromat or Rental?
If you do light laundry (1–2 loads/week), a laundromat might be fine.
But if you do a normal amount of laundry—especially with a family—renting a washer and dryer is almost always:
Cheaper
Faster
More convenient
More reliable
And you never deal with repairs or replacements.
Want to Stop Going to the Laundromat?
Tri-Cities Appliance Rentals offers:
Fast delivery
Professional installation
Affordable monthly plans
Free repairs & maintenance
No long-term commitments
Click below to see packages and schedule your delivery:
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