Ellensburg, WA vs Ocean Shores, WA

Ellensburg, WA and Ocean Shores, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Ellensburg scores 105 while Ocean Shores scores 104 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 Ellensburg is $1,258/month compared to $1,177/month in Ocean Shores — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ocean Shores has cheaper rent, Ellensburg actually has lower median home values ($357,800 vs $378,000).

Median household income in Ellensburg is $49,888 compared to $62,750 in Ocean Shores (-20.5%). Ocean Shores offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellensburg spend roughly 30.3% of their income on rent, more than the 22.5% in Ocean Shores. The Ocean Shores ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.1°F vs 51°F). Ocean Shores receives more rainfall at 68.8" per year compared to 9.2" in Ellensburg.