Lacey, WA vs Tumwater, WA

Lacey, WA and Tumwater, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Lacey scores 127 while Tumwater scores 123 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.

On the housing front, median rent in Lacey is $1,805/month compared to $1,654/month in Tumwater — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Tumwater has cheaper rent, Lacey actually has lower median home values ($427,900 vs $438,000).

Median household income in Lacey is $87,277 compared to $93,635 in Tumwater (-6.8%). Tumwater offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lacey spend roughly 24.8% of their income on rent, more than the 21.2% in Tumwater.

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