Burien, WA vs Centralia, WA

The cost of living difference between Burien, WA and Centralia, WA is dramatic. Centralia is 58.8% cheaper than Burien, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burien has a cost index of 142 while Centralia sits at 90, 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 Burien is $1,742/month compared to $1,003/month in Centralia — a 74% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Centralia is more affordable at $267,600 median vs $609,300.

Median household income in Burien is $90,597 compared to $52,387 in Centralia (+72.9%). While Burien is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Burien spend roughly 23.1% of their income on rent, more than the 23% in Centralia.

Climate-wise, Burien is notably warmer with an average of 53.7°F compared to 50.5°F in Centralia. Centralia receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 39.3" in Burien.