Performance
Score Breakdown
Anchorage
Olympia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Olympia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% higher compared to Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anchorage's average rent is
12% lower than Olympia's.
| Metric | Anchorage | Olympia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,583 | $1,800 | -12% |
| Groceries | $623 | $420 | +48% |
| Utilities | $409 | $216 | +89% |
| Transport | $350 | $120 | +192% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $3,165 | $2,806 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 125 | 113 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 23% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Olympia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Anchorage is estimated at
$125,309 vs $75,000 in Olympia.
| Metric | Anchorage | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,814 | $80,000 |
| Salary Needed | $125,309 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,451 idx | 70,796 idx |
| Household Income | $103,284 | $81,302 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Anchorage | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Olympia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anchorage | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 31.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 31.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
— approximately 4.9x the population of Olympia.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Anchorage | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 286,278 | 57,869 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 40.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anchorage
Advantages
No state income tax allows residents to keep a larger portion of their earnings.
Exceptional access to stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities.
Strong job market in key sectors like healthcare, oil & gas, and transportation.
Friendly community and welcoming atmosphere with a small-town feel.
Shorter average commute time compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average.
Higher property crime rate compared to the national average.
Limited public transportation options lead to high car dependency.
Challenging winter weather conditions with short daylight hours.
Elevated healthcare costs compared to the national average.
Olympia
Advantages
Olympia's projected population growth rate of 1.7% for 2026 indicates a growing and dynamic community.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, along with extensive outdoor recreational opportunities due to its natural surroundings.
Utility costs in Olympia are approximately 10% lower than the national average, providing some financial relief to residents.
The average commute time of 20 minutes is relatively short compared to many larger metropolitan areas.
Olympia's median household income of $81,302 in 2024 is higher than the national median, supporting a comfortable lifestyle for many residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Olympia is 13% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing expenses.
Average rent for apartments in Olympia increased by 6% year-over-year as of June 2026, indicating rising housing costs.
Healthcare costs in Olympia are significantly higher, approximately 24% above the national average.
Transportation expenses are 28% higher than the national average, impacting daily budgets for commuters.
The unemployment rate in Olympia was 4.8% in April 2026, slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Anchorage
#14Alaska, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$61,814
Cost Index
125
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
31.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
Olympia
#5Washington, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$80,000
Cost Index
113
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.70%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
80
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Anchorage and Olympia.
Open Cost Calculator