Federal Way, WA vs Kirkland, WA

The cost of living difference between Federal Way, WA and Kirkland, WA is dramatic. Federal Way is 31.5% cheaper than Kirkland, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Federal Way has a cost index of 133 while Kirkland sits at 194, 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 Federal Way is $1,738/month compared to $2,342/month in Kirkland — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Federal Way is more affordable at $499,600 median vs $1,022,500.

Median household income in Federal Way is $82,144 compared to $143,533 in Kirkland (-42.8%). While Kirkland is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Federal Way spend roughly 25.4% of their income on rent, more than the 19.6% in Kirkland.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 53.2°F). Federal Way receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 37.8" in Kirkland.