City Comparison

Olympia vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Olympia

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

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

15.5%

Living in Stockholm costs 15.5% less than Olympia. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Olympia, you would need $64,955 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
131
Olympia
118
Stockholm
Groceries
105
Olympia
92
Stockholm
Utilities
91
Olympia
88
Stockholm
Transportation
129
Olympia
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
124
Olympia
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Olympia has the same purchasing power as $64,955 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $86,598 in Olympia.

Living in Olympia vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

Olympia's housing index of 131 is higher Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $495,000 vs $445,000. The $50,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,252 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Olympia compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Olympia and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Olympia vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Olympia and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Olympia vs $352 in Stockholm. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 124 in Olympia and 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 42-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 $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $72,589 and $51,546 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 $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo fits within this budget. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stockholm is 15.5% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Olympia has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,955 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
Olympia's housing index is 131 with median homes at $495,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases