Mount Vernon, WA vs Yakima, WA
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Yakima is 23.6% cheaper than Mount Vernon. With a cost index of 89 vs 110, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Yakima to Mount Vernon should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Mount Vernon is $1,255/month compared to $1,075/month in Yakima — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Yakima is more affordable at $273,400 median vs $429,300.
Median household income in Mount Vernon is $73,277 compared to $59,228 in Yakima (+23.7%). 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 Mount Vernon spend roughly 20.6% of their income on rent, less than the 21.8% in Yakima.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.1°F vs 50.8°F). Mount Vernon receives more rainfall at 19.9" per year compared to 8" in Yakima.
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)