Auburn, WA vs Yakima, WA

The cost of living difference between Auburn, WA and Yakima, WA is dramatic. Yakima is 49.2% cheaper than Auburn, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Auburn has a cost index of 133 while Yakima sits at 89, 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 $1,075/month in Yakima — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Yakima is more affordable at $273,400 median vs $510,400.

Median household income in Auburn is $95,367 compared to $59,228 in Yakima (+61%). 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 21.8% in Yakima.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 50.8°F). Auburn receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 8" in Yakima.