Auburn, WA vs Olympia, WA

Olympia is moderately more affordable than Auburn, with a 10.6% lower cost of living index. Auburn scores 133 compared to 121 for Olympia, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Auburn can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $1,713/month compared to $1,509/month in Olympia — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Olympia is more affordable at $457,900 median vs $510,400.

Median household income in Auburn is $95,367 compared to $76,930 in Olympia (+24%). While Auburn is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, less than the 23.5% in Olympia.

Climate-wise, Auburn is notably warmer with an average of 53.7°F compared to 50.5°F in Olympia. Olympia receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 39.3" in Auburn.