Fort Lewis, WA vs Wenatchee, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Wenatchee is 27.4% cheaper than Fort Lewis. With a cost index of 104 vs 132, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Wenatchee 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 Wenatchee comes in at $1,194/month, a 88% difference.

Median household income in Fort Lewis is $54,902 compared to $70,000 in Wenatchee (-21.6%). Wenatchee 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 20.5% in Wenatchee. The Wenatchee 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 51.2°F). Fort Lewis receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 7.8" in Wenatchee.