City Comparison
Lacey vs Seattle
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lacey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lacey
Seattle
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lacey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Seattle.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lacey's average rent is
22% lower than Seattle's.
| Metric | Lacey | Seattle | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $2,250 | -22% |
| Groceries | $420 | $520 | -19% |
| Utilities | $170 | $210 | -19% |
| Transport | $110 | $140 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $290 | -17% |
| Monthly Total | $2,690 | $3,410 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 152 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seattle offers 31% 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 $82,000 in Seattle.
| Metric | Lacey | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $98,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $82,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 64,474 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $115,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Seattle sees 3.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lacey | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | 54.40°F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | 76.10°F |
| Winter Low | 36.20°F | 38.10°F |
| Rainfall | 45.90 in | 40.80 in |
| Snowfall | 5.50 in | 8.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | 238 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Seattle scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Seattle leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lacey | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 73.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 62.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seattle is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Lacey.
From a growth perspective, Lacey is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Seattle has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lacey | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,370 | 783,155 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.80% |
| 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.
Seattle
Advantages
Thriving job market anchored by global tech, aerospace, and biotech leaders
Unmatched access to outdoor recreation including mountains, forests, and marine waters
High median household income well above the national average
Vibrant culinary, coffee, and craft beverage culture
Progressive, highly educated, and culturally active community
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the U.S. average
Frequent overcast skies and high annual rainfall during the winter months
Persistent traffic congestion during peak commuting hours
Urban property crime and public safety challenges in specific downtown sectors
High barrier to entry for prospective first-time home 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
Seattle
#513Washington, USA
51.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,250
Avg Salary
$98,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
73.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
84
Business
85
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