Maple Valley, WA vs Olympia, WA

The cost of living difference between Maple Valley, WA and Olympia, WA is dramatic. Olympia is 33.5% cheaper than Maple Valley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Maple Valley has a cost index of 161 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 Maple Valley is $2,189/month compared to $1,509/month in Olympia — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Olympia is more affordable at $457,900 median vs $672,000.

Median household income in Maple Valley is $147,546 compared to $76,930 in Olympia (+91.8%). While Maple Valley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Maple Valley spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 23.5% in Olympia.

Climate-wise, Maple Valley is notably warmer with an average of 53.6°F compared to 50.5°F in Olympia. Olympia receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 34.7" in Maple Valley.