Cathlamet, WA vs Royal City, WA

The cost of living difference between Cathlamet, WA and Royal City, WA is dramatic. Royal City is 32% cheaper than Cathlamet, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cathlamet has a cost index of 99 while Royal City 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 Cathlamet is $1,050/month compared to $756/month in Royal City — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Royal City is more affordable at $180,300 median vs $364,900.

Median household income in Cathlamet is $57,750 compared to $49,417 in Royal City (+16.9%). The higher salaries in Cathlamet partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Cathlamet spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, more than the 18.4% in Royal City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.4°F vs 50.9°F). Cathlamet receives more rainfall at 70.3" per year compared to 7.8" in Royal City.