Lynden, WA vs Puyallup, WA

Lynden, WA and Puyallup, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Lynden scores 130 while Puyallup scores 134 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 Lynden is $1,623/month compared to $1,750/month in Puyallup — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lynden has cheaper rent, Puyallup actually has lower median home values ($507,000 vs $546,400).

Median household income in Lynden is $94,869 compared to $95,639 in Puyallup (-0.8%). Puyallup does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Lynden spend roughly 20.5% of their income on rent, less than the 22% in Puyallup.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 51.9°F). Puyallup receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 34.7" in Lynden.