Bothell, WA vs Port Orchard, WA

The cost of living difference between Bothell, WA and Port Orchard, WA is dramatic. Port Orchard is 37.5% cheaper than Bothell, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bothell has a cost index of 181 while Port Orchard sits at 131, 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 Bothell is $2,295/month compared to $1,760/month in Port Orchard — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Port Orchard is more affordable at $492,000 median vs $871,300.

Median household income in Bothell is $132,232 compared to $81,472 in Port Orchard (+62.3%). While Bothell is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bothell spend roughly 20.8% of their income on rent, less than the 25.9% in Port Orchard.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 53.8°F). Bothell receives more rainfall at 37.8" per year compared to 36.5" in Port Orchard.