Cle Elum, WA vs North Fort Lewis, WA
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Cle Elum is 25.9% cheaper than North Fort Lewis. With a cost index of 101 vs 136, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Cle Elum to North Fort Lewis should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
Renters will find that Cle Elum has a median rent of $1,075/month while North Fort Lewis comes in at $2,375/month, a 55% difference.
Median household income in Cle Elum is $56,912 compared to $72,778 in North Fort Lewis (-21.8%). The higher salaries in North Fort Lewis partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Cle Elum spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, less than the 39.2% in North Fort Lewis. The Cle Elum ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.
Climate-wise, North Fort Lewis is notably warmer with an average of 51.9°F compared to 42.4°F in Cle Elum. Cle Elum receives more rainfall at 85" per year compared to 42" in North Fort Lewis.
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