Maple Valley, WA vs Port Townsend, WA

The cost of living difference between Maple Valley, WA and Port Townsend, WA is dramatic. Port Townsend is 41.7% cheaper than Maple Valley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Maple Valley has a cost index of 161 while Port Townsend sits at 114, 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 Maple Valley is $2,189/month compared to $1,151/month in Port Townsend — a 90% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Port Townsend is more affordable at $502,500 median vs $672,000.

Median household income in Maple Valley is $147,546 compared to $60,015 in Port Townsend (+145.8%). While Maple Valley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Maple Valley spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Port Townsend.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.6°F vs 52.1°F). Maple Valley receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 19.9" in Port Townsend.