Performance
Score Breakdown
Olympia
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Olympia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
56% lower compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olympia's average rent is
35% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Olympia | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,723 | $2,656 | -35% |
| Groceries | $0 | $550 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $320 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $200 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,723 | $3,876 | -56% |
| Cost Index | 113 | 152 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 32% 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 $100,000 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Olympia | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,686 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $100,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 87,333 idx | 49,342 idx |
| Household Income | $81,302 | $90,757 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Olympia | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Olympia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Los Angeles leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Olympia | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 68.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 75.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Olympia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Olympia | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,951 | 3,869,089 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.02% | % |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $760.0B |
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.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, trade, and entertainment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, including world-class museums, theaters, and a diverse culinary landscape.
Residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine and mild winters, ideal for outdoor activities.
Los Angeles is a global hub for innovation and technology, attracting talent and fostering new businesses.
The metropolitan area provides access to numerous educational institutions, from community colleges to top-tier universities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the national average, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Los Angeles experiences considerable traffic congestion, leading to long commute times and high car dependency.
Housing affordability remains a major challenge, with median home prices exceeding $1.0 million as of April 2026.
The city has experienced population decline in recent years, with Los Angeles County losing over 53,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.
The unemployment rate in Los Angeles County, at 5.6% in December 2025, is higher than the national average.
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
Los Angeles
#8California, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,656
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
80
Business
75
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