City Comparison
Lacey vs Renton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lacey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lacey
Renton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lacey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Renton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lacey's average rent is
17% lower than Renton's.
| Metric | Lacey | Renton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $2,100 | -17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $480 | -13% |
| Utilities | $170 | $190 | -11% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $260 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,690 | $3,160 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 135 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Renton offers 13% lower 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 Lacey is estimated at
$58,000 vs $65,000 in Renton.
| Metric | Lacey | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 57,778 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $92,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, Lacey comes out ahead with 14 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Renton sees 5.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lacey | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | 54.30°F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | 77.40°F |
| Winter Low | 36.20°F | 36.60°F |
| Rainfall | 45.90 in | 50.70 in |
| Snowfall | 5.50 in | 10.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | 225 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Lacey | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 54.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Renton is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Lacey.
From a growth perspective, Lacey is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Renton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lacey | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,370 | 107,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Renton
Advantages
Strategic Puget Sound location with convenient access to Seattle, Bellevue, and Sea-Tac International Airport
Stunning natural amenities including Lake Washington waterfront access and Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Diverse and inclusive community with a rich cultural fabric and active local neighborhoods
Strong local economy anchored by aerospace manufacturing, healthcare, and technology
Vibrant downtown City Centre undergoing continuous revitalization and new dining developments
Drawbacks
Elevated cost of living and housing prices significantly higher than the U.S. national average
Significant traffic congestion along major commuter corridors such as Interstate 405 during peak hours
Higher-than-average property crime rates typical of growing urban and suburban transition zones
Frequent Pacific Northwest overcast weather and high annual rainfall totals
Competitive real estate market making homeownership difficult for middle-income buyers
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Renton
#521Washington, USA
51.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
54.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
72
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