City Comparison
Seattle vs Olympia
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Olympia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seattle
Olympia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Olympia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Seattle.
Housing costs are a major driver: Seattle's average rent is
25% higher than Olympia's.
| Metric | Seattle | Olympia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,250 | $1,800 | +25% |
| Groceries | $520 | $420 | +24% |
| Utilities | $210 | $216 | -3% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $250 | +16% |
| Monthly Total | $3,410 | $2,806 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 152 | 113 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seattle offers 23% 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 Seattle is estimated at
$82,000 vs $75,000 in Olympia.
| Metric | Seattle | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,000 | $80,000 |
| Salary Needed | $82,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,474 idx | 70,796 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $81,302 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Seattle runs warmer on average — a 54.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Seattle comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seattle sees 8.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seattle | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 74.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Olympia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Seattle.
Seattle scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Seattle leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Seattle | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 73.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seattle is the larger city
— approximately 13.5x the population of Olympia.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Seattle has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Seattle | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 783,155 | 57,869 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 40.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Seattle
Advantages
Thriving job market anchored by global tech, aerospace, and biotech leaders
Unmatched access to outdoor recreation including mountains, forests, and marine waters
High median household income well above the national average
Vibrant culinary, coffee, and craft beverage culture
Progressive, highly educated, and culturally active community
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the U.S. average
Frequent overcast skies and high annual rainfall during the winter months
Persistent traffic congestion during peak commuting hours
Urban property crime and public safety challenges in specific downtown sectors
High barrier to entry for prospective first-time home buyers
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.
Seattle
#513Washington, USA
51.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,250
Avg Salary
$98,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
73.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
84
Business
85
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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