Small towns more expensive.
Close to water..same.
Eastern side of state....pointless.
Mid section... meh.
Tacoma/Seattle/lakewood ..ok
Olympia area good.
Ocean areas like Grays harbor..my favorites
Vancouver...No.Chehalis. no.
Islands..very expensive.
Gig Harbor. Good.

I did not mention area and was coming back to edit. Will add here with my thanks for the reply!

I am looking for western WA. Spokane/C d laine ok but not first choice. I lived in Missoula MT area for two years. Spokane is the only place I visited in WA so far.

back in 2002 and went belly up in a couple months, ended up in Spokane for a year, went back to Idaho for a little while. Ended up in Montana... where its' getting pretty expensive too.

Well I ain't staying here!!! So, jumping in both feet sink or swim style.

What part of MT? I have a few frineds in the Bitterroot Valley.

perhaps things will workout better for you. I'm east of the Bitterroot, closer to YNP.

....im in a Central Wash where we have a college, so not hugely expensive..and 2 hrs from Seattle and airport. Im the middle of recreation areas..LOTS of hiking for you and your pup!

LOVED it and eventually hoping to return. (I was in Vancouver)

I found my arrangements on Craigslist. It was one bedroom in a house and I believe it was $800 (company paid). However, because I traveled by air there, the stuff I had with me was limited to one checked bag, one carry on, and one personal item. Despite my screen name, no felines with me.