City Comparison
Federal Way vs New York City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Federal Way scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Federal Way
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Federal Way is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Federal Way's average rent is
42% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Federal Way | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $3,382 | -42% |
| Groceries | $480 | $520 | -8% |
| Utilities | $175 | $370 | -53% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,975 | $4,652 | -36% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 29% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Federal Way delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Federal Way is estimated at
$62,000 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Federal Way | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,017 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Federal Way runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Federal Way comes out ahead with 231 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Federal Way sees 14.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Federal Way | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 34.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 53.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 14.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Federal Way has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Federal Way | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 88.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 89.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Federal Way is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Federal Way has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Federal Way | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,030 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Federal Way
Advantages
Exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity reflected in local community events and authentic dining.
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, including Dash Point State Park and Puget Sound access.
Home to the renowned Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, a premier regional athletic facility.
Strategic location along I-5 providing commuting access to both Seattle and Tacoma.
More affordable housing options compared to core Seattle and Bellevue markets.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion along Interstate 5 and major state routes during peak commuting hours.
Property crime rates that remain slightly above the national suburban average.
High cost of living and housing appreciation driven by broader King County economic pressures.
Car dependency in many suburban neighborhoods limiting pedestrian convenience.
Variable walkability outside of designated commercial and downtown zones.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Federal Way
#508Washington, USA
52.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
231/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
New York City
#584New York, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/100
Walkability
89.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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