City Comparison
Lacey vs Olympia
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lacey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lacey
Olympia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lacey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Olympia.
| Metric | Lacey | Olympia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,800 | -3% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $216 | -21% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,690 | $2,806 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 113 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 15% 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 Lacey is estimated at
$58,000 vs $75,000 in Olympia.
| Metric | Lacey | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $80,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 70,796 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $81,302 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lacey runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lacey comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lacey sees 5.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lacey | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Olympia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Lacey.
Lacey 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 | Lacey | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olympia is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lacey has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lacey | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,370 | 57,869 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 40.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lacey
Advantages
Proximity to state capital Olympia and Joint Base Lewis-McChord provides a stable regional economy per Washington ESD.
Abundant outdoor recreation options including local parks, lakes, and proximity to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
Family-friendly neighborhoods with highly rated local schools and active community programs.
More affordable housing options compared to major urban centers like Seattle and Tacoma.
High percentage of sunny days (239 days) relative to Western Washington's typical overcast reputation.
Drawbacks
Growing traffic congestion along major corridors like Interstate 5 during peak commuting hours per WSDOT data.
Increasing housing costs and rental rates driven by regional population influx per Zillow market reports.
Limited public transit rail options, maintaining high car dependency across the municipality.
Cool and damp winter season with frequent rain despite sunny summer months.
Competitive job market for specific corporate and tech roles outside of government and healthcare sectors.
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.
Lacey
#228Washington, USA
63.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
76
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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