City Comparison
Everett vs Lacey
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lacey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Everett
Lacey
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lacey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Everett.
Housing costs are a major driver: Everett's average rent is
11% higher than Lacey's.
| Metric | Everett | Lacey | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,750 | +11% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,895 | $2,690 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Everett offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lacey delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Everett is estimated at
$60,000 vs $58,000 in Lacey.
| Metric | Everett | Lacey |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,017 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $78,000 | $78,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.9°F of each other.
For sunshine, Lacey comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Everett sees 18.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Everett | Lacey |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.60°F | 53.50°F |
| Summer High | 73.20°F | 77.40°F |
| Winter Low | 33.50°F | 36.20°F |
| Rainfall | 50.40 in | 45.90 in |
| Snowfall | 23.90 in | 5.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 222 | 239 |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Everett scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Everett leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Everett | Lacey |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Everett is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Lacey.
From a growth perspective, Lacey is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lacey has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Everett | Lacey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,000 | 57,370 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Everett
Advantages
Median home prices in Everett remain significantly lower than in neighboring Seattle and Bellevue.
Direct access to Puget Sound waterfront, local marinas, and close proximity to Cascade Mountain recreation.
Strong local economy anchored by major aerospace manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
Served by robust regional transit options including commuter rail and Interstate 5 connectivity.
Vibrant downtown area featuring craft breweries, local dining, and entertainment venues like Angel of the Winds Arena.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain commercial and downtown pockets remain higher than the national average.
Traffic congestion along Interstate 5 and major arterial roads during peak commuting hours can be severe.
Cost of living and housing expenses have risen steadily due to spillover demand from the greater Seattle area.
Annual rainfall and overcast winter days contribute to limited sunlight during the darker months.
Rental vacancy rates can be tight, leading to competitive conditions for prospective tenants.
Lacey
Advantages
Proximity to state capital Olympia and Joint Base Lewis-McChord provides a stable regional economy per Washington ESD.
Abundant outdoor recreation options including local parks, lakes, and proximity to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
Family-friendly neighborhoods with highly rated local schools and active community programs.
More affordable housing options compared to major urban centers like Seattle and Tacoma.
High percentage of sunny days (239 days) relative to Western Washington's typical overcast reputation.
Drawbacks
Growing traffic congestion along major corridors like Interstate 5 during peak commuting hours per WSDOT data.
Increasing housing costs and rental rates driven by regional population influx per Zillow market reports.
Limited public transit rail options, maintaining high car dependency across the municipality.
Cool and damp winter season with frequent rain despite sunny summer months.
Competitive job market for specific corporate and tech roles outside of government and healthcare sectors.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Everett
#504Washington, USA
52.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
222/yr
Avg Temp
51.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
75
Business
70
Lacey
#228Washington, USA
63.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
76
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Everett and Lacey.
Open Cost Calculator