Mountlake Terrace, WA vs Puyallup, WA

Puyallup is moderately more affordable than Mountlake Terrace, with a 10.9% lower cost of living index. Mountlake Terrace scores 149 compared to 134 for Puyallup, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Mountlake Terrace can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Mountlake Terrace is $1,966/month compared to $1,750/month in Puyallup — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Puyallup is more affordable at $507,000 median vs $606,100.

Median household income in Mountlake Terrace is $101,404 compared to $95,639 in Puyallup (+6%). The higher salaries in Mountlake Terrace partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Mountlake Terrace spend roughly 23.3% of their income on rent, more than the 22% in Puyallup.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 51.9°F). Puyallup receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 37.8" in Mountlake Terrace.