Wenatchee, WA vs Olympia, WA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Olympia, WA and Wenatchee, WA are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Wenatchee works out to about $74,900 in Olympia, before taxes.
- Housing is 1.5% higher in Olympia, goods 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $2,043 a month in Olympia and $1,756 in Wenatchee, $3,444 a year more in Olympia (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $521,000 in Olympia and $518,000 in Wenatchee.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.4%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Wenatchee and Olympia
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Wenatchee, WA
- Olympia, WA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Olympia, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.9 | 103.7 |
| Goods | 105.0 | 105.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 115.0 | 116.7 |
| Utilities | 100.6 | 91.7 |
| Other services | 99.5 | 99.5 |
| Category | Wenatchee | Olympia | Olympia vs Wenatchee |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.9 | 103.7 | −0.2% |
| Goods | 105.0 | 105.0 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 115.0 | 116.7 | +1.5% |
| Utilities | 100.6 | 91.7 | −8.8% |
| Other services | 99.5 | 99.5 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,756 | $2,043 | +16.3% |
| Typical home value | $518,000 | $521,000 | +0.7% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Wenatchee | $75,000 | $74,900 | −0.2% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Wenatchee and Olympia has narrowed since 2008: 7.6 points then, 0.2 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Wenatchee, WA
- Olympia, WA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Olympia, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.8 | 105.4 |
| 2009 | 98.3 | 104.1 |
| 2010 | 94.7 | 102.9 |
| 2011 | 97.4 | 105.0 |
| 2012 | 97.0 | 101.3 |
| 2013 | 97.9 | 101.9 |
| 2014 | 97.3 | 104.8 |
| 2015 | 98.5 | 104.1 |
| 2016 | 97.6 | 106.0 |
| 2017 | 101.0 | 106.9 |
| 2018 | 102.0 | 104.8 |
| 2019 | 104.1 | 104.5 |
| 2020 | 102.4 | 101.9 |
| 2021 | 103.0 | 103.5 |
| 2022 | 103.0 | 107.5 |
| 2023 | 101.9 | 106.4 |
| 2024 | 103.9 | 103.7 |
Goods
- Wenatchee, WA
- Olympia, WA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Olympia, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.7 | 108.3 |
| 2009 | 100.3 | 106.6 |
| 2010 | 99.2 | 105.3 |
| 2011 | 98.1 | 106.1 |
| 2012 | 96.4 | 101.1 |
| 2013 | 95.4 | 102.8 |
| 2014 | 97.9 | 104.6 |
| 2015 | 103.8 | 105.8 |
| 2016 | 104.7 | 104.4 |
| 2017 | 102.0 | 108.4 |
| 2018 | 104.8 | 104.8 |
| 2019 | 104.7 | 104.7 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 104.5 |
| 2021 | 106.6 | 106.6 |
| 2022 | 109.4 | 109.4 |
| 2023 | 104.9 | 104.9 |
| 2024 | 105.0 | 105.0 |
Housing (rents)
- Wenatchee, WA
- Olympia, WA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Olympia, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 87.2 | 110.9 |
| 2009 | 95.5 | 106.2 |
| 2010 | 83.4 | 109.5 |
| 2011 | 94.2 | 125.3 |
| 2012 | 97.3 | 103.1 |
| 2013 | 96.4 | 108.2 |
| 2014 | 92.8 | 117.1 |
| 2015 | 89.2 | 111.3 |
| 2016 | 90.3 | 114.0 |
| 2017 | 103.8 | 113.1 |
| 2018 | 95.5 | 113.4 |
| 2019 | 111.1 | 116.8 |
| 2020 | 104.2 | 103.3 |
| 2021 | 110.3 | 115.4 |
| 2022 | 93.0 | 120.3 |
| 2023 | 97.6 | 125.9 |
| 2024 | 115.0 | 116.7 |
Utilities
- Wenatchee, WA
- Olympia, WA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Olympia, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 66.1 | 80.9 |
| 2009 | 69.7 | 82.5 |
| 2010 | 76.5 | 83.9 |
| 2011 | 81.1 | 86.0 |
| 2012 | 80.6 | 89.0 |
| 2013 | 80.5 | 92.9 |
| 2014 | 79.8 | 92.7 |
| 2015 | 79.9 | 95.7 |
| 2016 | 86.5 | 92.4 |
| 2017 | 84.2 | 92.9 |
| 2018 | 88.7 | 85.4 |
| 2019 | 91.9 | 86.7 |
| 2020 | 92.1 | 87.4 |
| 2021 | 93.9 | 89.1 |
| 2022 | 88.6 | 83.6 |
| 2023 | 85.0 | 81.9 |
| 2024 | 100.6 | 91.7 |
Other services
- Wenatchee, WA
- Olympia, WA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Olympia, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.4 | 103.6 |
| 2009 | 100.5 | 103.3 |
| 2010 | 98.0 | 100.7 |
| 2011 | 99.3 | 99.6 |
| 2012 | 98.0 | 101.7 |
| 2013 | 101.1 | 100.0 |
| 2014 | 99.9 | 102.2 |
| 2015 | 99.9 | 101.4 |
| 2016 | 97.2 | 105.2 |
| 2017 | 100.2 | 105.0 |
| 2018 | 103.4 | 103.4 |
| 2019 | 101.6 | 101.6 |
| 2020 | 100.7 | 100.7 |
| 2021 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2022 | 103.8 | 103.8 |
| 2023 | 102.6 | 102.6 |
| 2024 | 99.5 | 99.5 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,043 in Olympia vs $1,756 in Wenatchee
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Wenatchee, WA
- Olympia, WA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Olympia, WA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $1,048 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $1,059 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $1,075 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $1,077 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $1,087 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $1,126 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $1,141 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $1,149 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $1,177 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $1,218 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $1,231 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $1,238 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $1,264 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $1,302 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $1,309 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $1,318 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $1,340 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $1,377 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $1,388 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $1,394 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $1,430 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | – | $1,442 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | – | $1,515 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | – | $1,517 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,415 | $1,583 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,466 | $1,642 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,537 | $1,714 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,571 | $1,743 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,620 | $1,771 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,677 | $1,831 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,691 | $1,831 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,648 | $1,789 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,681 | $1,813 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,662 | $1,857 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,690 | $1,871 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,664 | $1,861 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,695 | $1,889 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,720 | $1,916 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,741 | $1,918 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,725 | $1,905 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,736 | $1,916 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,730 | $1,978 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,748 | $1,993 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,722 | $1,987 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,742 | $1,987 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,767 | $2,026 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,756 | $2,043 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $521,000 in Olympia vs $518,000 in Wenatchee
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Wenatchee, WA
- Olympia, WA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Olympia, WA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $249K | $238K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $256K | $241K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $262K | $245K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $270K | $251K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $274K | $257K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $276K | $262K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $280K | $267K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $286K | $273K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $291K | $281K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $297K | $286K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $303K | $291K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $309K | $297K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $316K | $304K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $323K | $311K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $332K | $320K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $338K | $324K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $345K | $328K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $355K | $332K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $362K | $338K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $372K | $347K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $379K | $358K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $388K | $367K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $396K | $380K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $414K | $403K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $433K | $428K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $456K | $455K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $474K | $470K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $482K | $478K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $502K | $501K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $518K | $525K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $511K | $515K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $503K | $501K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $497K | $492K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $502K | $496K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $505K | $503K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $503K | $506K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $504K | $511K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $509K | $519K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $511K | $520K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $516K | $525K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $517K | $525K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $515K | $521K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $514K | $521K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $519K | $526K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $522K | $527K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $519K | $522K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $518K | $521K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.