Kelso, WA vs Pullman, WA

Kelso is moderately more affordable than Pullman, with a 7.1% lower cost of living index. Kelso scores 94 compared to 101 for Pullman, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Pullman 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 $1,010/month in Pullman — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Pullman has cheaper rent, Kelso actually has lower median home values ($302,300 vs $401,700).

Median household income in Kelso is $59,462 compared to $45,097 in Pullman (+31.9%). Kelso offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Kelso spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, less than the 26.9% in Pullman.

Climate-wise, Kelso is notably warmer with an average of 53°F compared to 48.6°F in Pullman. Kelso receives more rainfall at 42.3" per year compared to 17.5" in Pullman.