Ione, WA vs Machias, WA

The cost of living difference between Ione, WA and Machias, WA is dramatic. Ione is 42% cheaper than Machias, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ione has a cost index of 80 while Machias sits at 138, 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 Ione is $750/month compared to $1,538/month in Machias — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ione is more affordable at $241,400 median vs $631,900.

Median household income in Ione is $49,750 compared to $127,043 in Machias (-60.8%). While Machias is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ione spend roughly 18.1% of their income on rent, more than the 14.5% in Machias.

Climate-wise, Machias is notably warmer with an average of 51.4°F compared to 45.6°F in Ione. Machias receives more rainfall at 33.4" per year compared to 22.5" in Ione.