Federal Way, WA vs Yakima, WA

The cost of living difference between Federal Way, WA and Yakima, WA is dramatic. Yakima is 49.1% 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 Yakima sits at 89, 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 $1,075/month in Yakima — a 62% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Yakima is more affordable at $273,400 median vs $499,600.

Median household income in Federal Way is $82,144 compared to $59,228 in Yakima (+38.7%). 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 21.8% in Yakima.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 50.8°F). Federal Way receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 8" in Yakima.