City Comparison

Irving vs Olympia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

Olympia

Washington
112
Above Average
$495,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$81,300
Median Income

The Verdict

10.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.7%, with Irving being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to $84,000 in Olympia.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
94
Irving
131
Olympia
Groceries
99
Irving
105
Olympia
Utilities
111
Irving
91
Olympia
Transportation
97
Irving
129
Olympia
Healthcare
103
Irving
124
Olympia

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $84,000 in Olympia.

Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $66,964 in Irving.

Living in Irving vs Olympia

Housing Costs

Irving's housing index of 94 is lower Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $495,000. The $177,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,508 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving vs $499/month in Olympia. Irving offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Irving and 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving 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 103 in Irving and 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $72,589 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,897/month in Olympia. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irving is 10.7% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,000 in Olympia, based on the cost of living difference.
Irving's housing index is 94 with median homes at $318,000, while Olympia's is 131 with median homes at $495,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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