Performance
Score Breakdown
Olympia
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Olympia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
12% lower compared to Albuquerque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olympia's average rent is
46% higher than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Olympia | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,723 | $1,180 | +46% |
| Groceries | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $220 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,723 | $1,950 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 113 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 28% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Olympia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Olympia is estimated at
$87,000 vs $47,196 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Olympia | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,686 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $47,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 87,333 idx | 84,615 idx |
| Household Income | $81,302 | $68,317 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Olympia | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 44.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Albuquerque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Albuquerque leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Olympia | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 52.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.60 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Olympia.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Olympia | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,951 | 555,119 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.02% | % |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is approximately 9.2% lower than the national average, making it an affordable city.
Albuquerque boasts a mild, dry climate with around 310 days of sunshine annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Public transportation (ABQ RIDE) operates on a permanent Zero Fares program, offering free bus services since January 2022.
The city has a vibrant arts and culture scene, including numerous museums and the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are about 12% cheaper than the typical U.S. city, contributing to overall affordability.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque is largely a car-dependent city, with a walkability score of 43, making many errands difficult without a vehicle.
Despite some decreases in violent crime, the overall crime rate in Albuquerque increased as of August 2024, and burglaries rose by 11% in 2024.
The city's population is currently experiencing a slight decline, with an annual decrease of -0.26% in 2026.
The average annual job growth rate for the Albuquerque MSA was modest at 0.72% in 2024.
Traffic congestion levels average 25.6% in 2025, leading to increased travel times.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Albuquerque
#36New Mexico, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,180
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
70
Business
65
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