Cle Elum, WA vs Roche Harbor, WA

The cost of living difference between Cle Elum, WA and Roche Harbor, WA is dramatic. Cle Elum is 36.4% cheaper than Roche Harbor, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cle Elum has a cost index of 101 while Roche Harbor sits at 159, 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 Cle Elum is $1,075/month compared to $1,500/month in Roche Harbor — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cle Elum is more affordable at $379,300 median vs $927,000.

Median household income in Cle Elum is $56,912 compared to $91,625 in Roche Harbor (-37.9%). While Roche Harbor is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cle Elum spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 19.6% in Roche Harbor.

Climate-wise, Roche Harbor is notably warmer with an average of 50.9°F compared to 42.4°F in Cle Elum. Cle Elum receives more rainfall at 85" per year compared to 18.5" in Roche Harbor.