Cost of Living in Olympia, WA
| Cost of Living in Olympia, WA | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 22% lower | 19% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 6% lower | 10% lower |
| Food | 3% lower | 4% higher |
| Healthcare | 3% higher | 17% higher |
| Transportation | 4% higher | 29% higher |
| Goods & Services | 23% lower | 11% higher |
The cost of living in Olympia, WA is 16% lower than the state average and 12% higher than the national average. Olympia, WA housing is 19% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 10% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 4% pricier in Olympia, WA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 11% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 17% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 11% pricier in Olympia, WA.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Olympia is $1,787, while home prices circle around $620,935.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Olympia, energy bills cost around $165.69 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.77 in Olympia, a dozen eggs go for around $3.37 and a pound of potatoes circles around $3.96.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Olympia, an optometry check-up costs around $225.72, while a dentist appointment is priced $150.85 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $4.35 in Olympia, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $78.61.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $42.00 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $42.85.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Olympia, you should budget around $11.70 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $36.17, while dry cleaning costs about $24.37.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Olympia, the median household income is $76,930.