Brewster, WA vs Medical Lake, WA

Brewster, WA and Medical Lake, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Brewster scores 87 while Medical Lake scores 87 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 Brewster is $1,036/month compared to $795/month in Medical Lake — a 30% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Medical Lake has cheaper rent, Brewster actually has lower median home values ($237,800 vs $333,000).

Median household income in Brewster is $52,885 compared to $74,426 in Medical Lake (-28.9%). While Medical Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brewster spend roughly 23.5% of their income on rent, more than the 12.8% in Medical Lake.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.9°F vs 48.6°F). Medical Lake receives more rainfall at 16.5" per year compared to 11.6" in Brewster.