Mead, WA vs North Yelm, WA

Mead, WA and North Yelm, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Mead scores 103 while North Yelm scores 106 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 Mead is $1,216/month compared to $1,379/month in North Yelm — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mead has cheaper rent, North Yelm actually has lower median home values ($330,200 vs $379,600).

Median household income in Mead is $76,010 compared to $77,691 in North Yelm (-2.2%). The higher salaries in North Yelm 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 21.3% in North Yelm.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.8°F vs 50.5°F). North Yelm receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 17.4" in Mead.