City Comparison
Redmond vs Olympia
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Redmond scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Redmond
Olympia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Olympia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Redmond.
Housing costs are a major driver: Redmond's average rent is
36% higher than Olympia's.
| Metric | Redmond | Olympia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,450 | $1,800 | +36% |
| Groceries | $520 | $420 | +24% |
| Utilities | $195 | $216 | -10% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $250 | +16% |
| Monthly Total | $3,595 | $2,806 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 152 | 113 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Redmond offers 44% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Redmond delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Redmond is estimated at
$85,000 vs $75,000 in Olympia.
| Metric | Redmond | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $115,000 | $80,000 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,658 idx | 70,796 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $81,302 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Redmond runs warmer on average — a 52.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Redmond comes out ahead with 218 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Redmond sees 18.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Redmond | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 54.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 218 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Olympia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Redmond.
Redmond scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Redmond leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Redmond | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Redmond is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Olympia.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Redmond has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Redmond | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,543 | 57,869 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 40.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Redmond
Advantages
World-class job market anchored by Microsoft and a booming technology sector
Exceptional public school system and high overall educational attainment
Abundant outdoor recreation, including over 50 parks and miles of dedicated bike trails
Low crime rates and consistently high safety rankings statewide
Expansion of the Sound Transit Link light rail improving regional connectivity
Drawbacks
High cost of living and steep housing prices compared to the national average
Significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on major arteries like SR 520
Competitive real estate market making homeownership challenging for median earners
Overcast and rainy winter weather patterns characteristic of the Pacific Northwest
Rising commercial and residential rents impacting local small businesses
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.
Redmond
#272Washington, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,450
Avg Salary
$115,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
218/yr
Avg Temp
52.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
86
Business
88
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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