Ephrata, WA vs Oak Harbor, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Ephrata is 29.6% cheaper than Oak Harbor. With a cost index of 85 vs 121, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Ephrata to Oak Harbor should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ephrata is $993/month compared to $1,629/month in Oak Harbor — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ephrata is more affordable at $240,000 median vs $421,700.

Median household income in Ephrata is $70,321 compared to $72,041 in Oak Harbor (-2.4%). Oak Harbor 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 Ephrata spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, less than the 27.1% in Oak Harbor.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.5°F vs 52.1°F). Oak Harbor receives more rainfall at 19.9" per year compared to 7.6" in Ephrata.