2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Lake Stevens, WA vs Salinas, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Salinas or is it cheaper to live in Lake Stevens?
- Salinas is 11.5% more expensive than Lake Stevens.

Which city has more affordable housing, Salinas or Lake Stevens?
- Salinas housing costs are 9.8% more expensive than Lake Stevens housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Lake Stevens or is Health Care more affordable in Salinas.
- Health related expenses are 65.7% more in Salinas.
 Lake Stevens, WASalinas, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.9100
 Food & Groceries102.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock143.7100
 Housing196.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$665,400$338,100
 Utilities71  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock100.4100
 Miscellaneous143.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Lake Stevens    7 Reviews

Over 15 years ago

I lived all over the country and the world for 27 yrs and moved into Lake Stevens 12 yrs ago. Absolutely a great place to live! Our 3 girls have done well in the  More

   |    Reply

My family and I lived in Lake Stevens for 7 years (2000 to 2007). It is a nice bedroom community that has good schools (get involved parents), low crime, and an ok lake  More

   |    Reply

10 years ago Lake Stevens was a nice little quiet town. Small town politics created their own megajobs, money, power and infighting. 2007 had a mayoral coups d'etats  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lake Stevens

Reviews for Salinas    15 Reviews

Over 11 years ago

Sacred Heart School is a fine Catholic school in the heart of Salinas, Ca. Victoria Torcolini was principal of this PK-8 school from 2006-2009. Under her leadership, SHS  More

   |    Reply

Over 13 years ago

I Was born and raise in salinas. In 2006 my family moved to the central valley. I moved back to salinas in 2011. I moved back Because I got a better job in Carmel. I  More

   |    Reply

Salinas, California has some of the best weather in Central California. I love looking out at the mountain ranges that line the Salinas River Valley. It's a shame that  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Salinas


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.