Cost of Living in Lakewood, WA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,217 (excluding rent), and $2,537 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,766 (excluding rent), and $5,032 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.29 $22.29

$17.83 $17.83

$25.76 $25.76

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$116 $116

$73.9 $73.9

$197 $197

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.71 $12.71

$11.95 $11.95

$15.25 $15.25

Cappuccino

$6.13 $6.13

$4.49 $4.49

$9.97 $9.97

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.94 $4.94

$2.96 $2.96

$6.91 $6.91

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.06 $2.06

$4.12 $4.12

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.87 $8.87

$7.89 $7.89

$11.83 $11.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.05 $12.05

$10.04 $10.04

$12.05 $12.05

Milk (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.35 $1.35

White Bread (500g)

$1.35 $1.35

$6.79 $6.79

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.78 $1.78

$10.58 $10.58

Eggs

$4.97 $4.97

$1.96 $1.96

$8.94 $8.94

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.92 $10.92

$5.45 $5.45

$19.70 $19.70

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.54 $15.54

$4.44 $4.44

$17.83 $17.83

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.43 $15.43

$11.01 $11.01

$19.86 $19.86

Apples (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$2.52 $2.52

$6.52 $6.52

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 $1.48

$1.39 $1.39

$3.63 $3.63

Oranges (1kg)

$2.91 $2.91

$6.77 $6.77

Tomato (1kg)

$3.55 $3.55

$2.12 $2.12

$6.41 $6.41

Potato (1kg)

$1.94 $1.94

Onion (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$4.31 $4.31

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.50 $2.50

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.08 $3.08

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.24 $9.24

Wine (Bottle)

$13.75 $13.75

$11.78 $11.78

$15.71 $15.71

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$1.71 $1.71

$2.83 $2.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.39 $3.39

$1.61 $1.61

$6.05 $6.05

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.24 $1.24

$1.98 $1.98

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.47 $2.47

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.66 $1.66

$1.59 $1.59

$2.23 $2.23

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.76 $29.76

$26.92 $26.92

$35.69 $35.69

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$1.06 $1.06

$1.33 $1.33

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23.5K $23.5K

$37.1K $37.1K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$20.4K $20.4K

$25.6K $25.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$86.7 $86.7

$217 $217

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$52.9 $52.9

$43.47 $43.47

$70.8 $70.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.4 $54.4

$84.0 $84.0

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.70 $42.70

$17.38 $17.38

$49.65 $49.65

Cinema Ticket

$13.62 $13.62

$13.11 $13.11

$20.17 $20.17

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,138 $2,138

$1,675 $1,675

$2,492 $2,492

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.2K $30.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.05 $27.05

$22.05 $22.05

$80.2 $80.2

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.11 $38.11

$30.49 $30.49

$45.73 $45.73

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.4 $83.4

$39.25 $39.25

$123 $123

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.7 $75.7

$60.5 $60.5

$151 $151

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,605 $1,605

$1,202 $1,202

$1,861 $1,861

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,366 $1,366

$1,009 $1,009

$1,514 $1,514

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,408 $2,408

$2,345 $2,345

$2,471 $2,471

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,255 $2,255

$1,725 $1,725

$2,537 $2,537

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,701 $2,701

$1,966 $1,966

$2,701 $2,701

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,577 $2,577

$2,085 $2,085

$2,577 $2,577

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,609 $4,609

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.61

6.19

6.8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 2, 2026

Lakewood, WA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Lakewood, WA - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Lakewood, WA, United States offers a balanced value within the Puget Sound region. Relative to Seattle or Bellevue, you’ll find more housing choices and lower daily costs, with street-level differences by neighborhood and transit access. For nomads, it’s easy to blend practical errands with reliable safety and a slower-paced urban rhythm close to JBLM and services. Expect steady utilities and groceries with occasional seasonal deals, and lean toward flexible leases or coworking options to keep options open. Tip: Map your essentials and compare neighborhood options to target good value.

Living in Lakewood unfolds with easy access to the outdoors, a solid basics scene, and practical commutes. For housing, search near major transit corridors or JBLM for shorter drives, and compare apartment buildings, townhomes, and single-family options for flexibility. Food options include grocery chains, local markets in season, and casual dining that won’t break the budget. Transport leans on reliable bus routes and car use, with decent driving routes to Tacoma and Seattle employers. Run errands by planning a single weekly trip to consolidate trips, or consider a coworking day if you’re near a café and a reliable internet connection. Lakewood, WA, United States living cost is a handy frame for planning. Tip: Build a weekly route map to save time and fuel.

Quality of life here comes from smart budgeting, steady routines, and choosing a neighborhood that fits your pace. A simple framework works: cap housing and essentials as a share of income, keep flexible spending for dining and entertainment, and set aside a regular savings target. Seasonality matters – heating in winter, cooling or fans in warmer months – so plan for variable utility use. For neighborhood fit, prioritize areas with walkable amenities, parks, and nearby services, plus reliable internet if you work remotely. Try a short-term stay in a few districts to compare vibe, noise, and commute; then lock in a longer term that balances comfort with value. Tip: track your monthly flows for two cycles before committing.