Anacortes, WA vs Manchester, WA

Manchester is moderately more affordable than Anacortes, with a 10.7% lower cost of living index. Anacortes scores 139 compared to 126 for Manchester, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Anacortes can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Anacortes is $1,609/month compared to $1,643/month in Manchester — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Anacortes has cheaper rent, Manchester actually has lower median home values ($464,500 vs $647,700).

Median household income in Anacortes is $89,788 compared to $108,242 in Manchester (-17%). Manchester offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Anacortes spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.2% in Manchester.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.1°F vs 53.8°F). Manchester receives more rainfall at 36.5" per year compared to 19.9" in Anacortes.