Ellensburg, WA vs Olympia, WA

Ellensburg is moderately more affordable than Olympia, with a 12.9% lower cost of living index. Ellensburg scores 105 compared to 121 for Olympia, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Olympia can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ellensburg is $1,258/month compared to $1,509/month in Olympia — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ellensburg is more affordable at $357,800 median vs $457,900.

Median household income in Ellensburg is $49,888 compared to $76,930 in Olympia (-35.2%). While Olympia is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellensburg spend roughly 30.3% of their income on rent, more than the 23.5% in Olympia. The Olympia ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.1°F vs 50.5°F). Olympia receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 9.2" in Ellensburg.