Lake Stevens, WA vs Pasco, WA

The cost of living difference between Lake Stevens, WA and Pasco, WA is dramatic. Pasco is 55.6% cheaper than Lake Stevens, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lake Stevens has a cost index of 155 while Pasco sits at 99, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Lake Stevens is $2,189/month compared to $1,201/month in Pasco — a 82% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pasco is more affordable at $344,700 median vs $593,900.

Median household income in Lake Stevens is $118,290 compared to $81,130 in Pasco (+45.8%). The higher salaries in Lake Stevens partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lake Stevens spend roughly 22.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Pasco.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.4°F vs 53.3°F). Lake Stevens receives more rainfall at 33.4" per year compared to 7.6" in Pasco.