Lakewood, WA vs Spokane Valley, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Spokane Valley is 16.6% 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 Spokane Valley 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 $1,247/month in Spokane Valley — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Spokane Valley is more affordable at $344,300 median vs $420,500.

Median household income in Lakewood is $70,524 compared to $70,722 in Spokane Valley (-0.3%). Spokane Valley offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lakewood spend roughly 24.8% of their income on rent, more than the 21.2% in Spokane Valley.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 49.8°F). Lakewood receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 17.4" in Spokane Valley.