Cost of Living in Olympia, WA
| Cost of Living in Olympia, WA | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 6% lower | 22% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 2% higher | 5% lower |
| Food | 3% lower | 8% higher |
| Healthcare | 2% higher | 22% higher |
| Transportation | 1% higher | 30% higher |
| Goods & Services | 0% | 13% higher |
The cost of living in Olympia, WA is 2% lower than the state average and 15% higher than the national average. Olympia, WA housing is 22% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 5% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 13% more in Olympia, WA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 13% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 22% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 13% 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 $1,785, while home prices circle around $607,481.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Olympia, energy bills cost around $170.77 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 $4.80 in Olympia, a dozen eggs go for around $4.17 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.50.
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 $238.29, while a dentist appointment is priced $161.45 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $4.32 in Olympia, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $78.58.
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 $48.81 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $43.44.
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 $11.83 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $32.84, while dry cleaning costs about $21.20.
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 $73,851.