City Comparison
Lacey vs Yakima
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lacey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lacey
Yakima
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yakima is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Lacey.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lacey's average rent is
55% higher than Yakima's.
| Metric | Lacey | Yakima | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,127 | +55% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $170 | $274 | -38% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $153 | +57% |
| Monthly Total | $2,690 | $2,124 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lacey offers 96% 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 Lacey is estimated at
$58,000 vs $49,428 in Yakima.
| Metric | Lacey | Yakima |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $34,628 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $49,428 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 33,949 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $59,829 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lacey runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lacey comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lacey sees 5.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lacey | Yakima |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yakima has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Lacey.
Lacey scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lacey leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lacey | Yakima |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Yakima is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x 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 | Lacey | Yakima |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,370 | 97,769 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 36.8 | |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.3B |
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.
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.
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
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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