Federal Way, WA vs Puyallup, WA

Federal Way, WA and Puyallup, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Federal Way scores 133 while Puyallup scores 134 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 Federal Way is $1,738/month compared to $1,750/month in Puyallup — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Federal Way is more affordable at $499,600 median vs $507,000.

Median household income in Federal Way is $82,144 compared to $95,639 in Puyallup (-14.1%). While Puyallup 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 22% in Puyallup.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 51.9°F). Puyallup receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 39.3" in Federal Way.