Sumner, WA vs Tumwater, WA

Tumwater is moderately more affordable than Sumner, with a 10.2% lower cost of living index. Sumner scores 136 compared to 123 for Tumwater, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Sumner can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Sumner is $1,886/month compared to $1,654/month in Tumwater — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Tumwater is more affordable at $438,000 median vs $478,500.

Median household income in Sumner is $98,376 compared to $93,635 in Tumwater (+5.1%). The higher salaries in Sumner partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Sumner spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, more than the 21.2% in Tumwater.

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