Fort Lewis, WA vs Medical Lake, WA

The cost of living difference between Fort Lewis, WA and Medical Lake, WA is dramatic. Medical Lake is 52.6% cheaper than Fort Lewis, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fort Lewis has a cost index of 132 while Medical Lake sits at 87, 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.

Renters will find that Fort Lewis has a median rent of $2,240/month while Medical Lake comes in at $795/month, a 182% difference.

Median household income in Fort Lewis is $54,902 compared to $74,426 in Medical Lake (-26.2%). Medical Lake offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Lewis spend roughly 49% of their income on rent, more than the 12.8% in Medical Lake. The Medical Lake ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Fort Lewis is notably warmer with an average of 51.9°F compared to 48.6°F in Medical Lake. Fort Lewis receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 16.5" in Medical Lake.