| Index | Federal Way | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 133 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 186 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 114 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 112 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 112 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 108 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 114 | 117 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Federal Way? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Federal Way stands at 133, making it 33% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Federal Way may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Federal Way falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
When it comes to the cost of living in Federal Way, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 85.7% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 10 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Federal Way and this is how they responded. 30% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 70% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Federal Way affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Federal Way, the median home price is 102.6% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 46.2% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Federal Way boasting a median household income of $101,198, 24.4% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Federal Way, the utilities index registers at 12.2% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Federal Way, the groceries index is 4.3% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Federal Way are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $144,383 | $12,032 | $3,369 | $4,332 |
| Renters | $74,849 | $6,237 | $1,746 | $2,246 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Washington | 6.5% | 10.4% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Washington | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Ketron Island, WA | 0 | 110 | 10.2% |
| Fairwood CDP (Spokane County), WA | 8,331 | 113 | 13.4% |
| North Puyallup, WA | 2,029 | 111 | 11.1% |
| Midland, WA | 9,862 | 116 | 15.7% |
| Parkland, WA | 39,227 | 117 | 17.4% |
| Federal Way, WA | 100,624 | 133 | 33.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Rio Rancho, NM | 100,592 | 102 | 1.9% |
| Edinburg, TX | 100,567 | 93 | 7.3% |
| Nampa, ID | 100,694 | 104 | 4.1% |
| Erie, PA | 100,285 | 86 | 13.6% |
| Beaverton, OR | 100,974 | 134 | 33.8% |
| Federal Way, WA | 100,624 | 133 | 33.0% |
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