City Comparison
Everett vs Olympia
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Olympia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Everett
Olympia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Olympia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Everett.
| Metric | Everett | Olympia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,800 | +8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $216 | -19% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,895 | $2,806 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 113 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Olympia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Everett is estimated at
$60,000 vs $75,000 in Olympia.
| Metric | Everett | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $80,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,017 idx | 70,796 idx |
| Household Income | $78,000 | $81,302 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Everett runs warmer on average — a 51.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Everett comes out ahead with 222 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Everett sees 23.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Everett | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 73.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 222 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Olympia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Everett.
Everett scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Everett leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Everett | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Everett is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Olympia.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Everett has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Everett | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,000 | 57,869 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 40.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Everett
Advantages
Median home prices in Everett remain significantly lower than in neighboring Seattle and Bellevue.
Direct access to Puget Sound waterfront, local marinas, and close proximity to Cascade Mountain recreation.
Strong local economy anchored by major aerospace manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
Served by robust regional transit options including commuter rail and Interstate 5 connectivity.
Vibrant downtown area featuring craft breweries, local dining, and entertainment venues like Angel of the Winds Arena.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain commercial and downtown pockets remain higher than the national average.
Traffic congestion along Interstate 5 and major arterial roads during peak commuting hours can be severe.
Cost of living and housing expenses have risen steadily due to spillover demand from the greater Seattle area.
Annual rainfall and overcast winter days contribute to limited sunlight during the darker months.
Rental vacancy rates can be tight, leading to competitive conditions for prospective tenants.
Olympia
Advantages
Olympia's projected population growth rate of 1.7% for 2026 indicates a growing and dynamic community.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, along with extensive outdoor recreational opportunities due to its natural surroundings.
Utility costs in Olympia are approximately 10% lower than the national average, providing some financial relief to residents.
The average commute time of 20 minutes is relatively short compared to many larger metropolitan areas.
Olympia's median household income of $81,302 in 2024 is higher than the national median, supporting a comfortable lifestyle for many residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Olympia is 13% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing expenses.
Average rent for apartments in Olympia increased by 6% year-over-year as of June 2026, indicating rising housing costs.
Healthcare costs in Olympia are significantly higher, approximately 24% above the national average.
Transportation expenses are 28% higher than the national average, impacting daily budgets for commuters.
The unemployment rate in Olympia was 4.8% in April 2026, slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Everett
#504Washington, USA
52.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
222/yr
Avg Temp
51.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
75
Business
70
Olympia
#489Washington, USA
53.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$80,000
Cost Index
113
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.70%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
80
Business
70
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