Darrington, WA vs La Center, WA

The cost of living difference between Darrington, WA and La Center, WA is dramatic. Darrington is 31.2% cheaper than La Center, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Darrington has a cost index of 97 while La Center sits at 141, 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 Darrington is $898/month compared to $1,947/month in La Center — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Darrington is more affordable at $373,300 median vs $549,900.

Median household income in Darrington is $64,438 compared to $118,629 in La Center (-45.7%). While La Center is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Darrington spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 19.7% in La Center.

Climate-wise, La Center is notably warmer with an average of 53°F compared to 49.8°F in Darrington. Darrington receives more rainfall at 83" per year compared to 42.3" in La Center.