North Fort Lewis, WA vs Port Orchard, WA

North Fort Lewis, WA and Port Orchard, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. North Fort Lewis scores 136 while Port Orchard scores 131 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.

Renters will find that North Fort Lewis has a median rent of $2,375/month while Port Orchard comes in at $1,760/month, a 35% difference.

Median household income in North Fort Lewis is $72,778 compared to $81,472 in Port Orchard (-10.7%). Port Orchard offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of North Fort Lewis spend roughly 39.2% of their income on rent, more than the 25.9% in Port Orchard. The Port Orchard ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 53.8°F). North Fort Lewis receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 36.5" in Port Orchard.