City Comparison
Kent vs Olympia
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kent scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kent
Olympia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Olympia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Kent.
| Metric | Kent | Olympia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,800 | +8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $190 | $216 | -12% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,930 | $2,806 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 113 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 5% 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 Kent is estimated at
$65,000 vs $75,000 in Olympia.
| Metric | Kent | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $80,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,857 idx | 70,796 idx |
| Household Income | $89,500 | $81,302 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kent runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kent comes out ahead with 231 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kent sees 14.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kent | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 34.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 53.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 14.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Olympia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Kent.
Kent scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Olympia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kent | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kent is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Olympia.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kent has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kent | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,588 | 57,869 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 40.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kent
Advantages
Median home prices in Kent remain noticeably more affordable than in neighboring Seattle and Bellevue per Zillow 2025 data.
Exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity reflected in the city's vibrant local restaurant and community festival scene.
Strategic location in the Green River Valley with major industrial and logistics employment hubs.
Robust public transit access including the Sounder commuter train at Kent Station.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities featuring the Green River Trail and close proximity to Mount Rainier.
Drawbacks
Peak-hour traffic congestion along State Route 167 and major valley arterials can lead to frustrating commutes.
Overall cost of living sits above the national average due to regional King County housing pressures.
Property crime rates in certain commercial and valley districts are higher than the national average per FBI crime data.
Rainy and overcast Pacific Northwest winters limit outdoor activity for several months of the year.
Rental vacancy rates can be tight, driving up competitive pricing for apartments.
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.
Kent
#447Washington, USA
55.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
231/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
72
Business
72
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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