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 | 17% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 0% | 3% lower |
| Food | 3% lower | 6% higher |
| Healthcare | 8% higher | 24% higher |
| Transportation | 2% higher | 28% higher |
| Goods & Services | 2% lower | 11% higher |
The cost of living in Olympia, WA is 8% lower than the state average and 13% higher than the national average. Olympia, WA housing is 17% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 3% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 6% 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 24% 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 $1,778, while home prices circle around $613,427.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Olympia, energy bills cost around $200.50 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 $4.64 in Olympia, a dozen eggs go for around $4.81 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.31.
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 $242.25, while a dentist appointment is priced $164.78 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $4.03 in Olympia, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $78.33.
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 $39.57 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $38.34.
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 $12.94 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $36.33, while dry cleaning costs about $28.92.
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 $81,302.