Buckley, WA vs Fort Lewis, WA

Buckley, WA and Fort Lewis, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Buckley scores 136 while Fort Lewis scores 132 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.

Renters will find that Buckley has a median rent of $1,824/month while Fort Lewis comes in at $2,240/month, a 19% difference.

Median household income in Buckley is $121,719 compared to $54,902 in Fort Lewis (+121.7%). While Buckley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Buckley spend roughly 18% of their income on rent, less than the 49% in Fort Lewis. The Buckley ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 51.9°F). Fort Lewis receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 39.3" in Buckley.