Kenmore, WA vs Olympia, WA

The cost of living difference between Kenmore, WA and Olympia, WA is dramatic. Olympia is 40.8% cheaper than Kenmore, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kenmore has a cost index of 170 while Olympia sits at 121, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Kenmore is $1,944/month compared to $1,509/month in Olympia — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Olympia is more affordable at $457,900 median vs $869,800.

Median household income in Kenmore is $137,926 compared to $76,930 in Olympia (+79.3%). While Kenmore is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kenmore spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, less than the 23.5% in Olympia.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 50.5°F). Olympia receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 37.8" in Kenmore.