Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Federal Way, WA
VS
Vancouver, WA
🏆 Vancouver leads 15 of 22 categories
Federal Way
Washington
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,360 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
144⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,614
Vancouver
Washington
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,626
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
190,700 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Federal Way, WA
Pros
6% less violent crime than Vancouver
Households earn $6,734 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (545.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (4372.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Vancouver, WA
Pros
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Homes cost $51k less ($403,400 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $135/mo less ($1,525 vs $1,660)
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Federal Way
Cons
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3407.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Federal Way by $6,734/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Federal Way
Median Income
$6,734
$80,360 vs $73,626/yr
Federal Way
Violent Crime
6% lower
545.4 vs 582.3 per 100k
Vancouver
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 106.6 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Vancouver
Median Home Value
$51k less
$403,400 vs $454,300
Vancouver
Summer Heat
4.1°F warmer
July avg high 80.9°F vs 76.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Federal Way, WA | Vancouver, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 113.0⚠ High | 106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $403,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,660⚠ High | $1,525⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $80,360 ✓ Higher | $73,626 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.3 min⚠ High | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.9% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 169⚠ High | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 144⚠ High ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 208⚠ High | 162⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B (97) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.3:1 | 17.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.6% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.2% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Federal Way School District | Evergreen School District (Clark) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer | 47.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 76.8°F | 80.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.6" ✓ Drier | 44.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 6.3" | 4.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,614 | 190,700 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 37.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.4% ✓ Higher | 50.9% |
| Under 18 | 23.0% ✓ More | 21.5% |
| Over 65 | 14.2% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Federal Way's cost of living index is 113.0 vs Vancouver's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Vancouver is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Vancouver leads 15 of 22 categories. Federal Way wins 7 and Vancouver wins 15. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Federal Way to Vancouver or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $403,400 median home), income ($80,360 vs $73,626), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Federal Way, WA and Vancouver, WA are about 116 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.