Lakewood, WA vs Pullman, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Pullman is 17% cheaper than Lakewood. With a cost index of 101 vs 118, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Pullman to Lakewood should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lakewood is $1,460/month compared to $1,010/month in Pullman — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pullman is more affordable at $401,700 median vs $420,500.

Median household income in Lakewood is $70,524 compared to $45,097 in Pullman (+56.4%). While Lakewood 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, less than the 26.9% in Pullman.

Climate-wise, Lakewood is notably warmer with an average of 51.9°F compared to 48.6°F in Pullman. Lakewood receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 17.5" in Pullman.