Fort Lewis, WA vs Spanaway, WA

Fort Lewis, WA and Spanaway, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. Fort Lewis scores 132 while Spanaway scores 126 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 Spanaway comes in at $1,782/month, a 26% difference.

Median household income in Fort Lewis is $54,902 compared to $94,028 in Spanaway (-41.6%). Spanaway 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 22.7% in Spanaway. The Spanaway 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 51.9°F). Spanaway receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 42" in Fort Lewis.