Performance
Score Breakdown
Olympia
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sitka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
788% higher compared to Olympia.
| Metric | Olympia | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,723 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $0 | $194 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,723 | $194 | +788% |
| Cost Index | 113 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Olympia | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,686 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $81,302 | $101,727 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sitka runs warmer on average — a 43.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sitka comes out ahead with 111 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sitka sees 198.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Olympia | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 43.90°F |
| Summer High | °F | 60.80°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 28.20°F |
| Rainfall | in | 138.90 in |
| Snowfall | in | 198.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 111 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sitka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Olympia.
Olympia 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 | Olympia | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olympia is the larger city
— approximately 6.7x the population of Sitka.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sitka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Olympia | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,951 | 8,368 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.02% | % |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 3.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
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.
Sitka
Advantages
Sitka has a livability score of 85/100, ranking it in the 98th percentile of all cities.
The average one-way commute time in Sitka is 13 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
Sitka's crime rate is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The median household income in Sitka was $101,727 in 2024, exceeding the national average.
The healthcare sector in Sitka experienced an 8% growth in jobs and an 18% rise in wages from 2022 to 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Sitka is 17% higher than the national average.
Housing shortages and pricing are significant concerns for residents and employers.
The seafood industry, a key economic sector, saw a decline in earnings and jobs from 2023 to 2024.
Sitka's population is on a steady downward trajectory, with a loss of 10.5% from 2014 to 2024.
The average residential electricity bill in Sitka 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
Sitka
#3Alaska, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
117
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
111/yr
Avg Temp
43.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
85
Business
85
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