Olympia vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Olympia
Tempe
The Verdict
Living in Tempe costs 5.7% less than Olympia. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Olympia, you would need $70,982 in Tempe.
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 $70,982 in Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $79,245 in Olympia.
Living in Olympia vs Tempe
Housing Costs
Olympia's housing index of 131 is higher Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $495,000 vs $400,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Olympia compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Olympia and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Olympia vs $475/month in Tempe. 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 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Olympia vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 124 in Olympia and 95 in Tempe. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $72,589 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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