Lake Stevens, WA vs Yakima, WA

The cost of living difference between Lake Stevens, WA and Yakima, WA is dramatic. Yakima is 73.1% 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 Yakima sits at 89, 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 $1,075/month in Yakima — a 104% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Yakima is more affordable at $273,400 median vs $593,900.

Median household income in Lake Stevens is $118,290 compared to $59,228 in Yakima (+99.7%). 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, more than the 21.8% in Yakima.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.4°F vs 50.8°F). Lake Stevens receives more rainfall at 33.4" per year compared to 8" in Yakima.