Cost of Living in Olympia, WA
| Cost of Living in Olympia, WA | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 5% lower | 21% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 3% higher | 6% lower |
| Food | 0% | 11% higher |
| Healthcare | 4% higher | 23% higher |
| Transportation | 1% higher | 20% higher |
| Goods & Services | 2% lower | 12% higher |
The cost of living in Olympia, WA is 2% lower than the state average and 14% higher than the national average. Olympia, WA housing is 21% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 6% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 12% more in Olympia, WA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 12% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 23% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 12% 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 $1,675, while home prices circle around $554,230.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Olympia, energy bills cost around $153.78 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 $2.90 in Olympia, a dozen eggs go for around $2.70 and a pound of potatoes circles around $3.57.
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 $237.12, while a dentist appointment is priced $151.67 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $4.43 in Olympia, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $71.39.
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 $45.14 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $40.20.
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 $12.12 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $31.38, while dry cleaning costs about $19.86.
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 $67,975.