SeaTac, WA vs Yelm, WA

Yelm is moderately more affordable than SeaTac, with a 12.4% lower cost of living index. SeaTac scores 129 compared to 115 for Yelm, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of SeaTac can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in SeaTac is $1,637/month compared to $1,363/month in Yelm — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Yelm is more affordable at $439,100 median vs $483,200.

Median household income in SeaTac is $76,517 compared to $88,279 in Yelm (-13.3%). Yelm offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of SeaTac spend roughly 25.7% of their income on rent, more than the 18.5% in Yelm.

Climate-wise, SeaTac is notably warmer with an average of 53.7°F compared to 50.5°F in Yelm. Yelm receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 39.3" in SeaTac.