Burlington vs Olympia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Olympia
The Verdict
Olympia is 5.4% less expensive than Burlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Burlington would need approximately $71,186 in Olympia to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $71,186 in Olympia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $79,018 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Olympia
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $495,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $499/month in Olympia. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $364 in Olympia. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 116 in Burlington and 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $72,589 respectively. Olympia residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $1,897/month in Olympia. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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