Lakewood, WA vs Tumwater, WA

Lakewood, WA and Tumwater, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Lakewood scores 118 while Tumwater scores 123 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 $1,654/month in Tumwater — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lakewood is more affordable at $420,500 median vs $438,000.

Median household income in Lakewood is $70,524 compared to $93,635 in Tumwater (-24.7%). While Tumwater 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 21.2% in Tumwater.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.5°F). Tumwater receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 42" in Lakewood.