Lakewood, WA vs Orchards, WA

Lakewood, WA and Orchards, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Lakewood scores 118 while Orchards scores 124 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 Lakewood is $1,460/month compared to $1,685/month in Orchards — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lakewood is more affordable at $420,500 median vs $437,100.

Median household income in Lakewood is $70,524 compared to $96,893 in Orchards (-27.2%). While Orchards 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 20.9% in Orchards.

Climate-wise, Orchards is notably warmer with an average of 55.1°F compared to 51.9°F in Lakewood. Lakewood receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 36.9" in Orchards.