Mattawa, WA vs Vashon, WA

The cost of living difference between Mattawa, WA and Vashon, WA is dramatic. Mattawa is 32.8% cheaper than Vashon, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Mattawa has a cost index of 96 while Vashon sits at 142, 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.

Renters will find that Mattawa has a median rent of $1,089/month while Vashon comes in at $1,444/month, a 25% difference.

Median household income in Mattawa is $41,250 compared to $115,750 in Vashon (-64.4%). While Vashon is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Mattawa spend roughly 31.7% of their income on rent, more than the 15% in Vashon. The Vashon ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 53.7°F). Vashon receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 8" in Mattawa.