Performance
Score Breakdown
Nitro
Olympia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nitro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
52% lower compared to Olympia.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nitro's average rent is
52% lower than Olympia's.
| Metric | Nitro | Olympia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $834 | $1,723 | -52% |
| Groceries | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $834 | $1,723 | -52% |
| Cost Index | 113 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Nitro | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $98,686 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $87,000 |
| Household Income | $53,848 | $81,302 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Nitro | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Olympia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Nitro.
Olympia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Olympia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nitro | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 39.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olympia is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Nitro.
From a growth perspective, Nitro is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Olympia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nitro | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,853 | 55,951 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.90% | 0.02% |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 40.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 4.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nitro
Advantages
The median home value in Nitro is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
Nitro boasts a high homeownership rate of 74.5%, exceeding the national average.
The average commute time for residents is shorter than the national average, at 24.5 minutes.
Nitro has a low violent crime rate, which is 33% below the national average.
The city offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including parks, fishing, and hiking.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Nitro, at 5.4%, is higher than the national average.
The median household income in Nitro is below the national average.
Nitro has a low Walk Score of 0 out of 100, indicating high car dependency.
Public transit options are limited, with most residents relying on personal vehicles.
Nitro's crime rates are 179% higher than the West Virginia average.
Olympia
Advantages
Olympia boasts a high livability score of 84/100, ranking it among the best places to live in Washington and the USA.
The city offers ample job opportunities, particularly in state and local government, contributing to a strong employment score.
Olympia's median household income saw a 5.7% growth year-over-year in 2024, reaching $81,302.
The housing market, while competitive, remains relatively accessible compared to other major West Coast cities.
Olympia has highly-rated public schools, making it attractive for families.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Olympia is 13% to 13.2% higher than the national average.
Olympia's overall crime rate is 68% to 89% higher than the national average, placing it in the 10th percentile for safety.
Healthcare costs in Olympia are significantly higher than the national average, ranging from 19% to 25.3% more expensive.
The city is considered car-dependent, with a walk score of 39 and limited public transportation options.
Olympia experiences a high amount of rainfall annually, averaging around 50-58 inches.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Nitro
#19West Virginia, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$834
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
5.40%
Livability
67
Business
0
Olympia
#19Washington, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,723
Avg Salary
$98,686
Cost Index
113
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.02%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
84
Business
0
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