Anacortes, WA vs Puyallup, WA

Anacortes, WA and Puyallup, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Anacortes scores 139 while Puyallup scores 134 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Anacortes is $1,609/month compared to $1,750/month in Puyallup — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Anacortes has cheaper rent, Puyallup actually has lower median home values ($507,000 vs $647,700).

Median household income in Anacortes is $89,788 compared to $95,639 in Puyallup (-6.1%). Puyallup 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, less than the 22% in Puyallup.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.1°F vs 51.9°F). Puyallup receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 19.9" in Anacortes.