City Comparison

Olympia vs Toledo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Olympia

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

Toledo

Ohio
77
Very Affordable
$128,000
Median Home
$825/mo
Median Rent
$42,200
Median Income

The Verdict

45.5%

Living in Toledo costs 45.5% less than Olympia. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Olympia, you would need $51,563 in Toledo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
131
Olympia
55
Toledo
Groceries
105
Olympia
98
Toledo
Utilities
91
Olympia
92
Toledo
Transportation
129
Olympia
101
Toledo
Healthcare
124
Olympia
84
Toledo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Olympia has the same purchasing power as $51,563 in Toledo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toledo equals $109,091 in Olympia.

Living in Olympia vs Toledo

Housing Costs

Olympia's housing index of 131 is higher Toledo's 55, translating to median home prices of $495,000 vs $128,000. The $367,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Olympia compared to $825/mo in Toledo, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Olympia and 98 in Toledo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Olympia vs $466/month in Toledo. Toledo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Olympia and 92 in Toledo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Olympia vs $368 in Toledo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 124 in Olympia and 84 in Toledo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 40-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 $42,200 in Toledo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $72,589 and $54,805 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 $985/month in Toledo. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo fits within this budget. In Toledo, median rent of $825/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 76 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toledo is 45.5% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Olympia has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $51,563 in Toledo, based on the cost of living difference.
Olympia's housing index is 131 with median homes at $495,000, while Toledo's is 55 with median homes at $128,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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