Arlington, WA vs Clarkston, WA

The cost of living difference between Arlington, WA and Clarkston, WA is dramatic. Clarkston is 77.5% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 133 while Clarkston sits at 75, 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 Arlington is $1,764/month compared to $877/month in Clarkston — a 101% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clarkston is more affordable at $216,900 median vs $492,600.

Median household income in Arlington is $84,919 compared to $53,092 in Clarkston (+59.9%). The higher salaries in Arlington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 24.9% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Clarkston.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.4°F vs 53.8°F). Arlington receives more rainfall at 33.4" per year compared to 12.9" in Clarkston.