Olympia vs St George

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Olympia has the same purchasing power as $73,661 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $76,364 in Olympia.

Living in Olympia vs St George

Housing Costs

Olympia's housing index of 131 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $495,000 vs $550,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Olympia compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Olympia and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Olympia vs $475/month in St George. 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 91 in Olympia and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Olympia vs $348 in St George. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 124 in Olympia and 96 in St George. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $81,300 in Olympia and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $72,589 and $65,818 respectively. Olympia residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,897/month to housing in Olympia vs $1,689/month in St George. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo fits within this budget. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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