Federal Way, WA vs Walla Walla, WA

The cost of living difference between Federal Way, WA and Walla Walla, WA is dramatic. Walla Walla is 34.2% cheaper than Federal Way, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Federal Way has a cost index of 133 while Walla Walla sits at 99, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Federal Way is $1,738/month compared to $1,176/month in Walla Walla — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Walla Walla is more affordable at $356,600 median vs $499,600.

Median household income in Federal Way is $82,144 compared to $65,493 in Walla Walla (+25.4%). 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 21.5% in Walla Walla.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 54.3°F). Federal Way receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 18.7" in Walla Walla.