Maple Valley, WA vs Vashon, WA

Vashon is moderately more affordable than Maple Valley, with a 13.3% lower cost of living index. Maple Valley scores 161 compared to 142 for Vashon, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Maple Valley can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Maple Valley is $2,189/month compared to $1,444/month in Vashon — a 52% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Vashon has cheaper rent, Maple Valley actually has lower median home values ($672,000 vs $717,700).

Median household income in Maple Valley is $147,546 compared to $115,750 in Vashon (+27.5%). While Maple Valley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Maple Valley spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, more than the 15% in Vashon.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.6°F vs 53.7°F). Vashon receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 34.7" in Maple Valley.