Fife, WA vs Tumwater, WA

Tumwater is moderately more affordable than Fife, with a 9.1% lower cost of living index. Fife scores 135 compared to 123 for Tumwater, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fife can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fife is $1,836/month compared to $1,654/month in Tumwater — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Tumwater is more affordable at $438,000 median vs $480,600.

Median household income in Fife is $90,515 compared to $93,635 in Tumwater (-3.3%). Tumwater offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fife spend roughly 24.3% of their income on rent, more than the 21.2% in Tumwater.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.5°F). Tumwater receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 42" in Fife.