Elma, WA vs Port Townsend, WA

Elma is moderately more affordable than Port Townsend, with a 13.3% lower cost of living index. Elma scores 99 compared to 114 for Port Townsend, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Port Townsend can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Elma is $987/month compared to $1,151/month in Port Townsend — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Elma is more affordable at $379,200 median vs $502,500.

Median household income in Elma is $66,194 compared to $60,015 in Port Townsend (+10.3%). Elma offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Elma spend roughly 17.9% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Port Townsend.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.4°F vs 52.1°F). Elma receives more rainfall at 67.9" per year compared to 19.9" in Port Townsend.