Ellensburg, WA vs Lake Stevens, WA

The cost of living difference between Ellensburg, WA and Lake Stevens, WA is dramatic. Ellensburg is 32.1% cheaper than Lake Stevens, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ellensburg has a cost index of 105 while Lake Stevens sits at 155, 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 Ellensburg is $1,258/month compared to $2,189/month in Lake Stevens — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ellensburg is more affordable at $357,800 median vs $593,900.

Median household income in Ellensburg is $49,888 compared to $118,290 in Lake Stevens (-57.8%). While Lake Stevens is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellensburg spend roughly 30.3% of their income on rent, more than the 22.2% in Lake Stevens. The Lake Stevens ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.1°F vs 51.4°F). Lake Stevens receives more rainfall at 33.4" per year compared to 9.2" in Ellensburg.