Performance
Score Breakdown
Spokane
Olympia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Spokane is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% lower compared to Olympia.
Housing costs are a major driver: Spokane's average rent is
20% lower than Olympia's.
| Metric | Spokane | Olympia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,433 | $1,800 | -20% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $223 | $216 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,426 | $2,806 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 113 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Spokane delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Spokane is estimated at
$55,000 vs $75,000 in Olympia.
| Metric | Spokane | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,290 | $80,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,765 idx | 70,796 idx |
| Household Income | $70,190 | $81,302 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Spokane | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Spokane scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Spokane leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Spokane | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Spokane is the larger city
— approximately 4x the population of Olympia.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Spokane has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Spokane | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,989 | 57,869 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 40.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Spokane
Advantages
Cost of living is approximately 3% below the national average, with housing costs being 13.9% lower than the national average.
Spokane offers abundant outdoor activities with 76 lakes within an hour's drive and proximity to mountains.
Washington State has no state income tax, providing a significant financial advantage to residents.
The average commute time in Spokane is around 20-22 minutes, which is shorter than the Washington state average.
Spokane is recognized as one of the most affordable cities on the West Coast.
Drawbacks
The violent crime rate in Spokane is 7.2 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the national average of 3.6 per 1,000 residents.
Grocery costs in Spokane are approximately 8.8% higher than the national average.
Job growth is projected to slow down in 2026, and the housing market remains challenging for newcomers.
Spokane's economy has a heavy reliance on the healthcare industry, which poses a risk if growth in this sector falters.
Consumer spending behavior indicates an 'emotional recession' due to inflation eroding wage gains.
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.
Spokane
#25Washington, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,433
Avg Salary
$72,290
Cost Index
98
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
Olympia
#14Washington, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$80,000
Cost Index
113
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.70%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
80
Business
70
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