Lake Stevens, WA vs Renton, WA

Lake Stevens, WA and Renton, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Lake Stevens scores 155 while Renton scores 150 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 Lake Stevens is $2,189/month compared to $1,923/month in Renton — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Renton has cheaper rent, Lake Stevens actually has lower median home values ($593,900 vs $631,400).

Median household income in Lake Stevens is $118,290 compared to $96,626 in Renton (+22.4%). While Lake Stevens is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lake Stevens spend roughly 22.2% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in Renton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.4°F vs 53.6°F). Renton receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 33.4" in Lake Stevens.