Bothell, WA vs Federal Way, WA

The cost of living difference between Bothell, WA and Federal Way, WA is dramatic. Federal Way is 35.6% cheaper than Bothell, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bothell has a cost index of 181 while Federal Way sits at 133, 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 Bothell is $2,295/month compared to $1,738/month in Federal Way — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Federal Way is more affordable at $499,600 median vs $871,300.

Median household income in Bothell is $132,232 compared to $82,144 in Federal Way (+61%). While Bothell is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bothell spend roughly 20.8% of their income on rent, less than the 25.4% in Federal Way.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 53.7°F). Federal Way receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 37.8" in Bothell.