Auburn, WA vs Federal Way, WA

Auburn, WA and Federal Way, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.1% difference in their overall index. Auburn scores 133 while Federal Way scores 133 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $1,713/month compared to $1,738/month in Federal Way — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Auburn has cheaper rent, Federal Way actually has lower median home values ($499,600 vs $510,400).

Median household income in Auburn is $95,367 compared to $82,144 in Federal Way (+16.1%). While Auburn is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, less than the 25.4% in Federal Way.

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