Mountlake Terrace, WA vs Waller, WA

Waller is moderately more affordable than Mountlake Terrace, with a 11.8% lower cost of living index. Mountlake Terrace scores 149 compared to 133 for Waller, 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 $1,785/month in Waller — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waller is more affordable at $481,200 median vs $606,100.

Median household income in Mountlake Terrace is $101,404 compared to $118,077 in Waller (-14.1%). Waller offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mountlake Terrace spend roughly 23.3% of their income on rent, more than the 18.1% in Waller.

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