Performance
Score Breakdown
Olympia
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Olympia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
38% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olympia's average rent is
132% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Olympia | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,723 | $744 | +132% |
| Groceries | $0 | $600 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $800 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $500 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,723 | $2,794 | -38% |
| Cost Index | 113 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 82% higher 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 Olympia is estimated at
$87,000 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Olympia | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,686 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 87,333 idx | 59,034 idx |
| Household Income | $81,302 | $63,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Olympia | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Olympia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Olympia | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 134.40 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Olympia.
From a growth perspective, Des Moines is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Olympia | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,951 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.02% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $34.1B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Olympia
Advantages
Olympia boasts a high livability score of 84/100, ranking it among the best places to live in Washington and the USA.
The city offers ample job opportunities, particularly in state and local government, contributing to a strong employment score.
Olympia's median household income saw a 5.7% growth year-over-year in 2024, reaching $81,302.
The housing market, while competitive, remains relatively accessible compared to other major West Coast cities.
Olympia has highly-rated public schools, making it attractive for families.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Olympia is 13% to 13.2% higher than the national average.
Olympia's overall crime rate is 68% to 89% higher than the national average, placing it in the 10th percentile for safety.
Healthcare costs in Olympia are significantly higher than the national average, ranging from 19% to 25.3% more expensive.
The city is considered car-dependent, with a walk score of 39 and limited public transportation options.
Olympia experiences a high amount of rainfall annually, averaging around 50-58 inches.
Des Moines
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Olympia
#19Washington, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,723
Avg Salary
$98,686
Cost Index
113
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.02%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
84
Business
0
Des Moines
#14Iowa, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$744
Avg Salary
$54,311
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
85
Business
80
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