Federal Way, WA vs Vancouver, WA

Vancouver is moderately more affordable than Federal Way, with a 8.3% lower cost of living index. Federal Way scores 133 compared to 123 for Vancouver, 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 $1,632/month in Vancouver — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Vancouver is more affordable at $440,300 median vs $499,600.

Median household income in Federal Way is $82,144 compared to $78,156 in Vancouver (+5.1%). 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 25.1% in Vancouver.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 54°F). Federal Way receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 37.5" in Vancouver.