Lakewood vs Seattle
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Lakewood
Seattle
💡 The Verdict
Lakewood is 30% cheaper than Seattle overall. A $75,000 salary in Lakewood is equivalent to $106,542 in Seattle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Lakewood (left) vs Seattle (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Lakewood versus Seattle. Differences shown from Lakewood perspective.
| Item | Lakewood | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,050/mo | $1,640/mo | $-590.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,400/mo | $2,300/mo | $-900.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,950/mo | $3,090/mo | $-1140.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.06 | $3.00 | +$0.06 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.64 | $4.02 | $-0.38 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.59 | $3.58 | +$0.01 |
| Coffee (latte) | $6.00 | $5.87 | +$0.13 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.31 | $3.64 | $-0.33 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17.14 | $22.87 | $-5.73 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $106,542 in Seattle.
Conversely, $75,000 in Seattle equals $52,796 in Lakewood.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3301 difference is driven by Colorado having a higher state income tax rate. Colorado details → · Washington details →
Reading These Numbers: Lakewood (107) vs Seattle (152)
Lakewood at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Seattle at 152 is 52% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Lakewood, the composite index of 107 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 98, followed by groceries (105), utilities (93), transportation (96), and healthcare (113). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,400/mo in Lakewood and $2,300/mo in Seattle, the annual rent difference is approximately $10,800.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $54,000.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $446,000.0 difference in median home prices between Lakewood and Seattle translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Lakewood vs Seattle
Choosing between Lakewood and Seattle involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Lakewood and Seattle can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.