Performance
Score Breakdown
Olympia
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Olympia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
53% lower compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olympia's average rent is
13% lower than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Olympia | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,723 | $1,988 | -13% |
| Groceries | $0 | $757 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $406 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $369 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $119 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,723 | $3,639 | -53% |
| Cost Index | 113 | 134 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 53% 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 $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Olympia | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,686 | $64,600 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 87,333 idx | 48,209 idx |
| Household Income | $81,302 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Olympia | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Olympia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Gaithersburg.
Gaithersburg 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 | Olympia | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Olympia.
From a growth perspective, Gaithersburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gaithersburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Olympia | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,951 | 69,825 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.02% | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Gaithersburg
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
Gaithersburg
#31Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,988
Avg Salary
$64,600
Cost Index
134
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Olympia and Gaithersburg.
Open Cost Calculator