Kelso, WA vs Longview, WA

Kelso, WA and Longview, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Kelso scores 94 while Longview scores 96 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Kelso is $1,131/month compared to $1,119/month in Longview — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Longview has cheaper rent, Kelso actually has lower median home values ($302,300 vs $339,000).

Median household income in Kelso is $59,462 compared to $60,844 in Longview (-2.3%). The higher salaries in Longview partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Kelso spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, more than the 22.1% in Longview.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53°F vs 53°F). Longview receives more rainfall at 42.3" per year compared to 42.3" in Kelso.