Fort Lewis, WA vs Prairie Heights, WA

Fort Lewis, WA and Prairie Heights, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Fort Lewis scores 132 while Prairie Heights scores 136 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

Renters will find that Fort Lewis has a median rent of $2,240/month while Prairie Heights comes in at $1,859/month, a 21% difference.

Median household income in Fort Lewis is $54,902 compared to $129,438 in Prairie Heights (-57.6%). While Prairie Heights is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Lewis spend roughly 49% of their income on rent, more than the 17.2% in Prairie Heights. The Prairie Heights 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 53.7°F). Fort Lewis receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 39.3" in Prairie Heights.