Kent, WA vs Lacey, WA

Lacey is moderately more affordable than Kent, with a 9.5% lower cost of living index. Kent scores 139 compared to 127 for Lacey, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Kent can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Kent is $1,833/month compared to $1,805/month in Lacey — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lacey is more affordable at $427,900 median vs $537,500.

Median household income in Kent is $90,416 compared to $87,277 in Lacey (+3.6%). Kent does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Kent spend roughly 24.3% of their income on rent, less than the 24.8% in Lacey.

Climate-wise, Kent is notably warmer with an average of 53.7°F compared to 50.5°F in Lacey. Lacey receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 39.3" in Kent.