City Comparison
Lacey vs Pasco
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Pasco scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lacey
Pasco
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pasco is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Lacey.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lacey's average rent is
21% higher than Pasco's.
| Metric | Lacey | Pasco | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,450 | +21% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,690 | $2,395 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lacey offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pasco delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lacey is estimated at
$58,000 vs $52,000 in Pasco.
| Metric | Lacey | Pasco |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $64,500 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 67,188 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $74,210 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Pasco comes out ahead with 55 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pasco sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lacey | Pasco |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | 57.90°F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | 91.70°F |
| Winter Low | 36.20°F | 32.30°F |
| Rainfall | 45.90 in | 11.90 in |
| Snowfall | 5.50 in | 6.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | 294 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 45.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Pasco has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 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 | Pasco |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pasco is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Lacey.
From a growth perspective, Pasco 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 | Pasco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,370 | 79,493 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 2.10% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 30.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.80% |
| 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.
Pasco
Advantages
Abundant sunshine with approximately 294 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
More affordable housing market and overall cost of living compared to coastal Washington cities like Seattle.
Strategic regional location along the Columbia River with robust transportation links via the Tri-Cities Airport and major highways.
Rich cultural diversity highlighted by community festivals, local markets, and a vibrant culinary scene.
Steady economic growth driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and strong regional employment opportunities.
Drawbacks
Hot and dry summer climate with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F.
Limited public transit walkability outside of specific downtown and newly developed commercial zones.
Housing inventory constraints and rising home prices driven by rapid regional population growth.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Breezy conditions and occasional high winds typical of the Columbia Basin region.
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
Pasco
#160Washington, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,500
Cost Index
96
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
294/yr
Avg Temp
57.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
74
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Lacey and Pasco.
Open Cost Calculator