Orchard, NE vs Thurston, NE

Thurston is moderately more affordable than Orchard, with a 5.1% lower cost of living index. Orchard scores 64 compared to 61 for Thurston, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Orchard can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Orchard is $850/month compared to $665/month in Thurston — a 28% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Thurston has cheaper rent, Orchard actually has lower median home values ($77,900 vs $108,600).

Median household income in Orchard is $48,281 compared to $71,250 in Thurston (-32.2%). Thurston offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Orchard spend roughly 21.1% of their income on rent, more than the 11.2% in Thurston.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.2°F vs 48.4°F). Thurston receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 27" in Orchard.