Lakewood, WA vs Maple Valley, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lakewood is 26.6% cheaper than Maple Valley. With a cost index of 118 vs 161, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lakewood to Maple Valley should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lakewood is $1,460/month compared to $2,189/month in Maple Valley — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lakewood is more affordable at $420,500 median vs $672,000.

Median household income in Lakewood is $70,524 compared to $147,546 in Maple Valley (-52.2%). While Maple Valley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lakewood spend roughly 24.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Maple Valley.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 53.6°F). Lakewood receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 34.7" in Maple Valley.