Olympia, WA vs Renton, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Olympia is 19.4% cheaper than Renton. With a cost index of 121 vs 150, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Olympia to Renton should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Olympia is $1,509/month compared to $1,923/month in Renton — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Olympia is more affordable at $457,900 median vs $631,400.

Median household income in Olympia is $76,930 compared to $96,626 in Renton (-20.4%). While Renton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Olympia spend roughly 23.5% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in Renton.

Climate-wise, Renton 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 Renton.