Kelso, WA vs Mount Vernon, WA

Kelso is moderately more affordable than Mount Vernon, with a 14.9% lower cost of living index. Kelso scores 94 compared to 110 for Mount Vernon, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Mount Vernon can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Kelso is $1,131/month compared to $1,255/month in Mount Vernon — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kelso is more affordable at $302,300 median vs $429,300.

Median household income in Kelso is $59,462 compared to $73,277 in Mount Vernon (-18.9%). While Mount Vernon is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kelso spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, more than the 20.6% in Mount Vernon.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53°F vs 52.1°F). Kelso receives more rainfall at 42.3" per year compared to 19.9" in Mount Vernon.