Chehalis, WA vs Dayton, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Dayton is 15.1% cheaper than Chehalis. With a cost index of 84 vs 97, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Dayton to Chehalis should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chehalis is $1,055/month compared to $926/month in Dayton — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dayton is more affordable at $223,900 median vs $330,800.

Median household income in Chehalis is $68,021 compared to $71,687 in Dayton (-5.1%). Dayton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chehalis spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Dayton.

Climate-wise, Dayton is notably warmer with an average of 54.3°F compared to 50.5°F in Chehalis. Chehalis receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 18.7" in Dayton.