Tukwila, WA vs Mattawa, WA

The cost of living difference between Tukwila, WA and Mattawa, WA is dramatic. Mattawa is 37.7% cheaper than Tukwila, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Tukwila has a cost index of 132 while Mattawa sits at 96, 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.

Renters will find that Tukwila has a median rent of $1,786/month while Mattawa comes in at $1,089/month, a 64% difference.

Median household income in Tukwila is $80,534 compared to $41,250 in Mattawa (+95.2%). While Tukwila is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Tukwila spend roughly 26.6% of their income on rent, less than the 31.7% in Mattawa. The Tukwila ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 50.8°F). Tukwila receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 8" in Mattawa.