Darrington, WA vs Pe Ell, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Pe Ell is 21.4% cheaper than Darrington. With a cost index of 80 vs 97, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Pe Ell to Darrington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Darrington is $898/month compared to $875/month in Pe Ell — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pe Ell is more affordable at $196,600 median vs $373,300.

Median household income in Darrington is $64,438 compared to $59,625 in Pe Ell (+8.1%). Darrington does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Darrington spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 17.6% in Pe Ell.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.8°F vs 50.5°F). Darrington receives more rainfall at 83" per year compared to 50.6" in Pe Ell.