City Comparison
Everett vs Yakima
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Everett scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Everett
Yakima
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yakima is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Everett.
Housing costs are a major driver: Everett's average rent is
73% higher than Yakima's.
| Metric | Everett | Yakima | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,127 | +73% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $274 | -36% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $153 | +57% |
| Monthly Total | $2,895 | $2,124 | +36% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Everett offers 108% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Everett delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Everett is estimated at
$60,000 vs $49,428 in Yakima.
| Metric | Everett | Yakima |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $34,628 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $49,428 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,017 idx | 33,949 idx |
| Household Income | $78,000 | $59,829 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Everett runs warmer on average — a 51.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Everett comes out ahead with 222 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Everett sees 23.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Everett | Yakima |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 73.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 222 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yakima has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Everett.
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 | Yakima |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Everett is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Yakima.
From a growth perspective, Everett is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Everett has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Everett | Yakima |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,000 | 97,769 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 5.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.3B |
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.
Yakima
Advantages
Yakima enjoys approximately 300 sunny days per year, making it one of Washington's sunniest major cities.
The cost of living in Yakima is notably affordable, with housing costs significantly lower than the national average.
The region is a world-class wine country with over 120 wineries, offering unique recreational and cultural experiences.
Residents have access to excellent outdoor recreation opportunities, including the Yakima River and nearby mountains, lakes, and trails.
The average commute time in Yakima County is shorter than the Washington state average, at 17.3 minutes.
Drawbacks
Yakima's overall crime rate is 22% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 52% higher.
The nightlife and cultural scene can be limited, with many establishments closing early and less investment in arts compared to larger cities.
Public transit is not extensive, making car ownership almost essential for getting around the city effectively.
Some specialized medical care may require residents to travel to larger cities outside of Yakima.
Groceries and utilities are slightly more expensive than the national average.
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
Yakima
#564Washington, USA
47.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,127
Avg Salary
$34,628
Cost Index
102
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.30%
Livability
74
Business
68
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