Median rent is 8% lower in Federal Way ($1,738/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Federal Way, where the median home runs $499,600 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Federal Way ($82,144 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Federal Way, WA
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Federal Way, WA?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Federal Way
Washington
Los Angeles
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Federal Way at $1,738/mo compared to $1,879/mo in Los Angeles (8% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $499,600 in Federal Way — 43% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Washington has no state income tax, while California tops out at 13.30% — giving Federal Way a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.50% in Washington and 7.25% in California; Federal Way has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Federal Way
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.50%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Federal Way.
Pick Federal Way if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Federal Way cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Federal Way vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,738/mo in Federal Way, WA and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Federal Way, WA has the lower rent by about 8%.
Which has higher salaries — Federal Way or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $82,144 in Federal Way, WA and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Federal Way, WA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Federal Way or Los Angeles?
Washington has no state income tax. California has a top rate of 13.30%.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Federal Way income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology