Federal Way, WA vs Lynnwood, WA

Federal Way is moderately more affordable than Lynnwood, with a 6.5% lower cost of living index. Federal Way scores 133 compared to 142 for Lynnwood, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lynnwood can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Federal Way is $1,738/month compared to $1,675/month in Lynnwood — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lynnwood has cheaper rent, Federal Way actually has lower median home values ($499,600 vs $635,800).

Median household income in Federal Way is $82,144 compared to $76,439 in Lynnwood (+7.5%). Federal Way offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Federal Way spend roughly 25.4% of their income on rent, less than the 26.3% in Lynnwood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 51.4°F). Federal Way receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 33.4" in Lynnwood.