Lakewood vs Olympia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lakewood
Olympia
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.8%, with Olympia being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lakewood has equivalent purchasing power to $63,158 in Olympia.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $63,158 in Olympia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $89,063 in Lakewood.
Living in Lakewood vs Olympia
Housing Costs
Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $495,000. The $79,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,136 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood 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 85 in Lakewood and 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $364 in Olympia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 40-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $83,800 in Lakewood and $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 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 $1,955/month to housing in Lakewood vs $1,897/month in Olympia. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/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 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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