Auburn, WA vs SeaTac, WA

Auburn, WA and SeaTac, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Auburn scores 133 while SeaTac scores 129 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 $1,637/month in SeaTac — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: SeaTac is more affordable at $483,200 median vs $510,400.

Median household income in Auburn is $95,367 compared to $76,517 in SeaTac (+24.6%). 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 25.7% in SeaTac.

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