Maltby, WA vs Mercer Island, WA

The cost of living difference between Maltby, WA and Mercer Island, WA is dramatic. Maltby is 35.6% cheaper than Mercer Island, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Maltby has a cost index of 173 while Mercer Island sits at 269, 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 Maltby is $1,928/month compared to $2,464/month in Mercer Island — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Maltby is more affordable at $914,800 median vs $1,884,200.

Median household income in Maltby is $179,276 compared to $202,359 in Mercer Island (-11.4%). Mercer Island 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 Maltby spend roughly 12.9% of their income on rent, less than the 14.6% in Mercer Island.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 53.8°F). Maltby receives more rainfall at 37.8" per year compared to 36.5" in Mercer Island.