Lexington vs Olympia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lexington
Olympia
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 17.0%, with Lexington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to $90,323 in Olympia.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $90,323 in Olympia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $62,277 in Lexington.
Living in Lexington vs Olympia
Housing Costs
Lexington's housing index of 82 is lower Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $495,000. The $250,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,248 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington vs $499/month in Olympia. Lexington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Lexington and 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $364 in Olympia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Lexington and 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 30-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,648 in Lexington and $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 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 $1,298/month to housing in Lexington vs $1,897/month in Olympia. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/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 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases