Orchards, WA vs Vashon, WA

Orchards is moderately more affordable than Vashon, with a 12.5% lower cost of living index. Orchards scores 124 compared to 142 for Vashon, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Vashon can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Orchards is $1,685/month compared to $1,444/month in Vashon — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Vashon has cheaper rent, Orchards actually has lower median home values ($437,100 vs $717,700).

Median household income in Orchards is $96,893 compared to $115,750 in Vashon (-16.3%). 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 Orchards spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, more than the 15% in Vashon.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.1°F vs 53.7°F). Vashon receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 36.9" in Orchards.