Auburn, WA vs Lacey, WA

Auburn, WA and Lacey, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Auburn scores 133 while Lacey scores 127 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 $1,805/month in Lacey — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Auburn has cheaper rent, Lacey actually has lower median home values ($427,900 vs $510,400).

Median household income in Auburn is $95,367 compared to $87,277 in Lacey (+9.3%). 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 24.8% in Lacey.

Climate-wise, Auburn is notably warmer with an average of 53.7°F compared to 50.5°F in Lacey. Lacey receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 39.3" in Auburn.