Federal Way, WA vs Longview, WA

The cost of living difference between Federal Way, WA and Longview, WA is dramatic. Longview is 38% cheaper than Federal Way, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Federal Way has a cost index of 133 while Longview sits at 96, 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 $1,119/month in Longview — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Longview is more affordable at $339,000 median vs $499,600.

Median household income in Federal Way is $82,144 compared to $60,844 in Longview (+35%). The higher salaries in Federal Way partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Federal Way spend roughly 25.4% of their income on rent, more than the 22.1% in Longview.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 53°F). Longview receives more rainfall at 42.3" per year compared to 39.3" in Federal Way.