Mead, WA vs Mountlake Terrace, WA

The cost of living difference between Mead, WA and Mountlake Terrace, WA is dramatic. Mead is 30.5% cheaper than Mountlake Terrace, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Mead has a cost index of 103 while Mountlake Terrace sits at 149, 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 Mead is $1,216/month compared to $1,966/month in Mountlake Terrace — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mead is more affordable at $379,600 median vs $606,100.

Median household income in Mead is $76,010 compared to $101,404 in Mountlake Terrace (-25%). The higher salaries in Mountlake Terrace partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Mead spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, less than the 23.3% in Mountlake Terrace.

Climate-wise, Mountlake Terrace is notably warmer with an average of 53.2°F compared to 49.8°F in Mead. Mountlake Terrace receives more rainfall at 37.8" per year compared to 17.4" in Mead.