Bainbridge Island, WA vs Lakewood, WA

The cost of living difference between Bainbridge Island, WA and Lakewood, WA is dramatic. Lakewood is 59.8% cheaper than Bainbridge Island, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bainbridge Island has a cost index of 189 while Lakewood sits at 118, 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 Bainbridge Island is $2,081/month compared to $1,460/month in Lakewood — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lakewood is more affordable at $420,500 median vs $1,076,200.

Median household income in Bainbridge Island is $159,882 compared to $70,524 in Lakewood (+126.7%). While Bainbridge Island is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bainbridge Island spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, less than the 24.8% in Lakewood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 51.9°F). Lakewood receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 37.8" in Bainbridge Island.