Bainbridge Island, WA vs Port Townsend, WA

The cost of living difference between Bainbridge Island, WA and Port Townsend, WA is dramatic. Port Townsend is 66.3% cheaper than Bainbridge Island, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bainbridge Island has a cost index of 189 while Port Townsend sits at 114, 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 Bainbridge Island is $2,081/month compared to $1,151/month in Port Townsend — a 81% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Port Townsend is more affordable at $502,500 median vs $1,076,200.

Median household income in Bainbridge Island is $159,882 compared to $60,015 in Port Townsend (+166.4%). While Bainbridge Island is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bainbridge Island spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Port Townsend.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 52.1°F). Bainbridge Island receives more rainfall at 37.8" per year compared to 19.9" in Port Townsend.