Darrington, WA vs Montesano, WA

Darrington, WA and Montesano, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Darrington scores 97 while Montesano scores 101 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Darrington is $898/month compared to $1,201/month in Montesano — a 25% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Darrington has cheaper rent, Montesano actually has lower median home values ($331,300 vs $373,300).

Median household income in Darrington is $64,438 compared to $65,938 in Montesano (-2.3%). The higher salaries in Montesano partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Darrington spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 21.9% in Montesano.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.8°F vs 51°F). Darrington receives more rainfall at 83" per year compared to 68.8" in Montesano.