Renton, WA vs Yakima, WA

The cost of living difference between Renton, WA and Yakima, WA is dramatic. Yakima is 67.5% cheaper than Renton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Renton has a cost index of 150 while Yakima sits at 89, 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 Renton is $1,923/month compared to $1,075/month in Yakima — a 79% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Yakima is more affordable at $273,400 median vs $631,400.

Median household income in Renton is $96,626 compared to $59,228 in Yakima (+63.1%). The higher salaries in Renton partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Renton spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, more than the 21.8% in Yakima.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.6°F vs 50.8°F). Renton receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 8" in Yakima.