Clarkston, WA vs Mountlake Terrace, WA

The cost of living difference between Clarkston, WA and Mountlake Terrace, WA is dramatic. Clarkston is 49.5% cheaper than Mountlake Terrace, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Clarkston has a cost index of 75 while Mountlake Terrace sits at 149, 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 Clarkston is $877/month compared to $1,966/month in Mountlake Terrace — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clarkston is more affordable at $216,900 median vs $606,100.

Median household income in Clarkston is $53,092 compared to $101,404 in Mountlake Terrace (-47.6%). The higher salaries in Mountlake Terrace partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Clarkston spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, less than the 23.3% in Mountlake Terrace.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.8°F vs 53.2°F). Mountlake Terrace receives more rainfall at 37.8" per year compared to 12.9" in Clarkston.