Gearhart, OR vs Winston, OR

The cost of living difference between Gearhart, OR and Winston, OR is dramatic. Winston is 30.1% cheaper than Gearhart, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gearhart has a cost index of 113 while Winston sits at 87, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Gearhart is $1,089/month compared to $1,050/month in Winston — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Winston is more affordable at $219,200 median vs $522,100.

Median household income in Gearhart is $85,966 compared to $53,125 in Winston (+61.8%). While Gearhart is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gearhart spend roughly 15.2% of their income on rent, less than the 23.7% in Winston.

Climate-wise, Winston is notably warmer with an average of 55.9°F compared to 51.4°F in Gearhart. Gearhart receives more rainfall at 70.3" per year compared to 32.1" in Winston.