Mattawa, WA vs Yelm, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Mattawa is 16.6% cheaper than Yelm. With a cost index of 96 vs 115, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Mattawa to Yelm should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

Renters will find that Mattawa has a median rent of $1,089/month while Yelm comes in at $1,363/month, a 20% difference.

Median household income in Mattawa is $41,250 compared to $88,279 in Yelm (-53.3%). While Yelm is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Mattawa spend roughly 31.7% of their income on rent, more than the 18.5% in Yelm. The Yelm ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 50.5°F). Yelm receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 8" in Mattawa.