Anacortes, WA vs Union Gap, WA

The cost of living difference between Anacortes, WA and Union Gap, WA is dramatic. Union Gap is 67% cheaper than Anacortes, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Anacortes has a cost index of 139 while Union Gap sits at 83, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Anacortes is $1,609/month compared to $1,111/month in Union Gap — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Union Gap is more affordable at $186,200 median vs $647,700.

Median household income in Anacortes is $89,788 compared to $58,958 in Union Gap (+52.3%). The higher salaries in Anacortes partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Anacortes spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, less than the 22.6% in Union Gap.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.1°F vs 50.8°F). Anacortes receives more rainfall at 19.9" per year compared to 8" in Union Gap.