Federal Way, WA vs University Place, WA

Federal Way, WA and University Place, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.1% difference in their overall index. Federal Way scores 133 while University Place scores 137 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 $1,664/month in University Place — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while University Place has cheaper rent, Federal Way actually has lower median home values ($499,600 vs $578,100).

Median household income in Federal Way is $82,144 compared to $94,952 in University Place (-13.5%). While University Place 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 21% in University Place.

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