Fairwood CDP (King County), WA vs Lake Stevens, WA

Fairwood CDP (King County), WA and Lake Stevens, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Fairwood CDP (King County) scores 159 while Lake Stevens scores 155 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 Fairwood CDP (King County) is $2,152/month compared to $2,189/month in Lake Stevens — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fairwood CDP (King County) has cheaper rent, Lake Stevens actually has lower median home values ($593,900 vs $658,000).

Median household income in Fairwood CDP (King County) is $119,013 compared to $118,290 in Lake Stevens (+0.6%). Fairwood CDP (King County) does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairwood CDP (King County) spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, less than the 22.2% in Lake Stevens.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.6°F vs 51.4°F). Fairwood CDP (King County) receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 33.4" in Lake Stevens.