Lakewood, WA vs Yakima, WA

The cost of living difference between Lakewood, WA and Yakima, WA is dramatic. Yakima is 32.4% cheaper than Lakewood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lakewood has a cost index of 118 while Yakima sits at 89, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Lakewood is $1,460/month compared to $1,075/month in Yakima — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Yakima is more affordable at $273,400 median vs $420,500.

Median household income in Lakewood is $70,524 compared to $59,228 in Yakima (+19.1%). The higher salaries in Lakewood partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lakewood spend roughly 24.8% of their income on rent, more than the 21.8% in Yakima.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.8°F). Lakewood receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 8" in Yakima.