Federal Way, WA vs Spanaway, WA

Spanaway is moderately more affordable than Federal Way, with a 5.3% lower cost of living index. Federal Way scores 133 compared to 126 for Spanaway, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Federal Way 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 $1,782/month in Spanaway — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Federal Way has cheaper rent, Spanaway actually has lower median home values ($401,000 vs $499,600).

Median household income in Federal Way is $82,144 compared to $94,028 in Spanaway (-12.6%). Spanaway 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, more than the 22.7% in Spanaway.

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