Performance
Score Breakdown
Olympia
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aberdeen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% higher compared to Olympia.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olympia's average rent is
44% higher than Aberdeen's.
| Metric | Olympia | Aberdeen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,250 | +44% |
| Groceries | $420 | $388 | +8% |
| Utilities | $216 | $288 | -25% |
| Transport | $120 | $80 | +50% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $305 | -18% |
| Monthly Total | $2,806 | $2,311 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 113 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 106% higher 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 Olympia is estimated at
$75,000 vs $50,000 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Olympia | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $80,000 | $38,861 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,796 idx | 47,391 idx |
| Household Income | $81,302 | $64,405 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Olympia | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Olympia.
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 | Olympia | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 39.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olympia is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Aberdeen.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Olympia | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,869 | 28,376 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 1.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly low unemployment rate of 1.7% in 2026, well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The cost of living in Aberdeen is 18% less expensive than the national average, particularly in housing, making it highly affordable.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 11 minutes, significantly reducing daily travel stress.
Aberdeen serves as a regional healthcare hub with three hospitals and a wide range of medical specialties, ensuring quality healthcare access.
The city has a high livability score of 80 out of 100, reflecting a good quality of life with ample amenities and a strong community feel.
Drawbacks
Crime data for Aberdeen is conflicting, with some sources indicating a higher violent crime rate than the average U.S. city and a lower safety percentile.
Public transportation options are limited to a demand-response bus service, with very low utilization among workers, leading to high car dependency.
Aberdeen experiences very cold, snowy, and windy winters with average low temperatures reaching 6°F in January.
Despite some positive projections, population growth rates are inconsistent across sources, with some indicating stagnation or decline in recent years.
The average rent in Aberdeen has seen a significant increase of 52.9% in the past year, potentially impacting affordability for new renters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Aberdeen
#16South Dakota, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$38,861
Cost Index
82
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
65
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