Performance
Score Breakdown
Oak Hill
Olympia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oak Hill is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
42% lower compared to Olympia.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oak Hill's average rent is
50% lower than Olympia's.
| Metric | Oak Hill | Olympia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $897 | $1,800 | -50% |
| Groceries | $350 | $420 | -17% |
| Utilities | $150 | $216 | -31% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $250 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $1,617 | $2,806 | -42% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 113 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 64% 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 Oak Hill is estimated at
$45,000 vs $75,000 in Olympia.
| Metric | Oak Hill | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,806 | $80,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 36,931 idx | 70,796 idx |
| Household Income | $52,466 | $81,302 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Oak Hill | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Olympia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Oak Hill.
Olympia 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 | Oak Hill | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 1.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olympia is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Oak Hill.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Olympia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Oak Hill | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,937 | 57,869 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 40.5 |
| Unemployment | 8.30% | 4.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oak Hill
Advantages
The violent crime rate in Oak Hill is 44% below the national average, contributing to a sense of safety.
Housing is significantly more affordable than the national average, with a median home value of $118,700 in 2024.
The city offers abundant opportunities for outdoor activities, including white water rafting and hiking, due to its proximity to the New River Gorge.
Oak Hill experienced a positive employment growth rate of 4.63% from 2023 to 2024.
The median rent of $897 in June 2026 is considerably lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Oak Hill has a high unemployment rate of 8.3% as of March 2026, exceeding the national average.
The city is highly car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 0 and very limited public transit options.
The population is projected to decline by -1.42% annually, indicating a shrinking community.
Some reports suggest overall crime rates are 57% higher than the West Virginia average, despite low violent crime.
The average commute time of 29 minutes is slightly higher than 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.
Oak Hill
#85West Virginia, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$897
Avg Salary
$28,806
Cost Index
78
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
1.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
68
Business
55
Olympia
#13Washington, 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
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