Auburn, WA vs Longview, WA

The cost of living difference between Auburn, WA and Longview, WA is dramatic. Longview is 38.1% cheaper than Auburn, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Auburn has a cost index of 133 while Longview sits at 96, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $1,713/month compared to $1,119/month in Longview — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Longview is more affordable at $339,000 median vs $510,400.

Median household income in Auburn is $95,367 compared to $60,844 in Longview (+56.7%). 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 22.1% in Longview.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 53°F). Longview receives more rainfall at 42.3" per year compared to 39.3" in Auburn.