Bremerton, WA vs Ellensburg, WA

Ellensburg is moderately more affordable than Bremerton, with a 12.1% lower cost of living index. Bremerton scores 118 compared to 105 for Ellensburg, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Bremerton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bremerton is $1,535/month compared to $1,258/month in Ellensburg — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ellensburg is more affordable at $357,800 median vs $409,500.

Median household income in Bremerton is $74,399 compared to $49,888 in Ellensburg (+49.1%). While Bremerton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bremerton spend roughly 24.8% of their income on rent, less than the 30.3% in Ellensburg. The Bremerton ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Bremerton is notably warmer with an average of 53.8°F compared to 50.1°F in Ellensburg. Bremerton receives more rainfall at 36.5" per year compared to 9.2" in Ellensburg.