Friday Harbor, WA vs Ocean Shores, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Ocean Shores is 22.3% cheaper than Friday Harbor. With a cost index of 104 vs 127, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Ocean Shores to Friday Harbor should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Friday Harbor is $1,571/month compared to $1,177/month in Ocean Shores — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ocean Shores is more affordable at $378,000 median vs $515,000.

Median household income in Friday Harbor is $69,954 compared to $62,750 in Ocean Shores (+11.5%). The higher salaries in Friday Harbor partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Friday Harbor spend roughly 26.9% of their income on rent, more than the 22.5% in Ocean Shores.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 51°F). Ocean Shores receives more rainfall at 68.8" per year compared to 18.5" in Friday Harbor.