Lacey, WA vs Mountlake Terrace, WA

Lacey is moderately more affordable than Mountlake Terrace, with a 14.6% lower cost of living index. Lacey scores 127 compared to 149 for Mountlake Terrace, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Mountlake Terrace can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lacey is $1,805/month compared to $1,966/month in Mountlake Terrace — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lacey is more affordable at $427,900 median vs $606,100.

Median household income in Lacey is $87,277 compared to $101,404 in Mountlake Terrace (-13.9%). The higher salaries in Mountlake Terrace partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lacey spend roughly 24.8% of their income on rent, more than the 23.3% in Mountlake Terrace.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.5°F vs 53.2°F). Lacey receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 37.8" in Mountlake Terrace.