Cost of Living in Olympia, WA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,071 (excluding rent), and $2,756 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,766 (excluding rent), and $4,983 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$14.94 $14.94

$39.83 $39.83

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$69.3 $69.3

$59.4 $59.4

$149 $149

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.87 $11.87

$9.89 $9.89

$13.85 $13.85

Cappuccino

$4.72 $4.72

$3.44 $3.44

$7.86 $7.86

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.97 $1.97

$3.94 $3.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.53 $1.53

$4.1 $4.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.81 $6.81

$3.89 $3.89

$9.73 $9.73

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.06 $6.06

$5.05 $5.05

$9.08 $9.08

Milk (1 liter)

$1 $1

$0.82 $0.82

$1.29 $1.29

White Bread (500g)

$3.72 $3.72

$2.71 $2.71

$7.64 $7.64

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.23 $4.23

$1.78 $1.78

$6.59 $6.59

Eggs

$4.38 $4.38

$1.67 $1.67

$7.64 $7.64

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$9.78 $9.78

$24.18 $24.18

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.56 $10.56

$5.76 $5.76

$22.24 $22.24

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.47 $15.47

$8.99 $8.99

$24.72 $24.72

Apples (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$2.17 $2.17

$13.03 $13.03

Banana (1kg)

$1.64 $1.64

$1.33 $1.33

$4.52 $4.52

Oranges (1kg)

$4.27 $4.27

$2.21 $2.21

$8.85 $8.85

Tomato (1kg)

$5.16 $5.16

$2.23 $2.23

$9 $9

Potato (1kg)

$2.97 $2.97

$1.59 $1.59

$4.45 $4.45

Onion (1kg)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.67 $1.67

$3.35 $3.35

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.34 $2.34

$1.16 $1.16

$4.05 $4.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.14 $2.14

$0.97 $0.97

$4.38 $4.38

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.9 $10.9

$9.91 $9.91

$13.08 $13.08

Wine (Bottle)

$15.32 $15.32

$10.87 $10.87

$29.65 $29.65

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.75 $1.75

$4.33 $4.33

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.6 $4.6

$1.98 $1.98

$6.94 $6.94

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 $0.36

$2.59 $2.59

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.7 $3.7

$4.87 $4.87

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.71 $1.71

$3.06 $3.06

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.76 $35.76

$29.8 $29.8

$52.1 $52.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.01 $1.01

$0.89 $0.89

$1.23 $1.23

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$33.4K $33.4K

$26.8K $26.8K

$39.5K $39.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.8K $25.8K

$24.1K $24.1K

$30.1K $30.1K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$122 $122

$69.4 $69.4

$446 $446

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$60.6 $60.6

$34.85 $34.85

$149 $149

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.3 $62.3

$39.47 $39.47

$119 $119

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.6 $57.6

$44.41 $44.41

$78.9 $78.9

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.06 $10.06

Cinema Ticket

$11.08 $11.08

$10.07 $10.07

$18.13 $18.13

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,434 $1,434

$1,385 $1,385

$2,176 $2,176

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$18.8K $18.8K

$17.7K $17.7K

$19K $19K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.2 $51.2

$24.95 $24.95

$94.8 $94.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.85 $46.85

$27.8 $27.8

$74.5 $74.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.8 $89.8

$49.89 $49.89

$130 $130

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$97.3 $97.3

$74.9 $74.9

$180 $180

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,658 $1,658

$1,485 $1,485

$1,980 $1,980

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,567 $1,567

$1,389 $1,389

$1,786 $1,786

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,809 $2,809

$2,294 $2,294

$4,488 $4,488

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,337 $2,337

$2,226 $2,226

$2,529 $2,529

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,161 $3,161

$3,204 $3,204

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,964 $2,964

$2,385 $2,385

$3,152 $3,152

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,929 $4,929

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.41

7.25

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Olympia, WA - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with larger West Coast cities, Olympia offers a balanced mix of access, pace, and costs. You’ll find compact apartment options and casual neighborhoods that keep housing reasonably practical for short stays or longer deployments. Food and transport lean toward affordable options, especially if you shop locally and cycle or walk. Seasonal tourism can nudge prices around summer fairs, while government and university cycles shape service hours. Cost of Living in Olympia, WA, United States sits in a middle ground, offering value without the pressure of major metro rents. Tip: Test a two-week routine to map expenses.

Daily life in Olympia blends small-city charm with easy access to outdoor recreation. For housing, search around downtown, the Westside, and Hillside areas for walkable options; consider micro-apartments near campuses if you want lower rents. Food choices range from farmers markets to affordable ethnic eateries, with plenty of bulk groceries that stretch a budget. Transit is practical: a local bus network and bike lanes make errands doable without a car, though a vehicle helps for weekend trips. Olympia, WA, United States living cost may vary by neighborhood, so plan a short-term stay to test routines. Tip: Build a weekly grocery plan and seasons can shift produce prices.

Quality of life in Olympia can feel balanced for long stays and adaptive schedules. Build a simple budgeting framework: track housing, transit, groceries, and leisure in separate buckets, and leave a buffer for seasonal changes in utilities or market groceries. Seek neighborhoods that fit your pace – downtown for nightlife and cafes, West Olympia for quieter walks, or near the marina for outdoor access. Seasonal events, farmers markets, and coffee culture add value without heavy costs. For savings, prefer longer-term rentals with included utilities, use public transit, and buy local when possible. Tip: Try a flexible month-to-month rent option to compare neighborhoods before committing.