Olympia vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Olympia
Sydney
The Verdict
Living in Sydney costs 6.7% less than Olympia. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Olympia, you would need $70,313 in Sydney.
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 $70,313 in Sydney.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $80,000 in Olympia.
Living in Olympia vs Sydney
Housing Costs
Olympia's housing index of 131 is lower Sydney's 142, translating to median home prices of $495,000 vs $825,000. The $330,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Olympia compared to $2,050/mo in Sydney, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Olympia and 95 in Sydney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Olympia vs $451/month in Sydney. Sydney offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Olympia and 98 in Sydney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Olympia vs $392 in Sydney. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 124 in Olympia and 72 in Sydney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 52-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 $60,000 in Sydney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $72,589 and $57,143 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 $1,400/month in Sydney. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo fits within this budget. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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