Fort Lewis, WA vs Mount Vernon, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Mount Vernon is 20% cheaper than Fort Lewis. With a cost index of 110 vs 132, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Mount Vernon to Fort Lewis should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

Renters will find that Fort Lewis has a median rent of $2,240/month while Mount Vernon comes in at $1,255/month, a 79% difference.

Median household income in Fort Lewis is $54,902 compared to $73,277 in Mount Vernon (-25.1%). Mount Vernon 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 20.6% in Mount Vernon. The Mount Vernon ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 52.1°F). Fort Lewis receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 19.9" in Mount Vernon.