Median rent is 15% lower in Olympia ($1,509/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in Olympia, where the median home runs $457,900 versus $751,700. Households earn more in New York ($79,713 vs $76,930 a year).
City A
New York, NY
City B
Olympia, WA
How much would you need to earn in Olympia, WA to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
New York
New York
Olympia
Washington
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Olympia at $1,509/mo compared to $1,779/mo in New York (15% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $457,900 in Olympia — 39% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Washington has no state income tax, while New York tops out at 10.90% — giving Olympia a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in New York and 6.50% in Washington; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Olympia
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.50%
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 61.0) but not yet for Olympia.
Pick Olympia if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,509/mo median).
Pick Olympia if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is New York cheaper than Olympia?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in New York vs Olympia?
Median rent is $1,779/mo in New York, NY and $1,509/mo in Olympia, WA. Olympia, WA has the lower rent by about 15%.
Which has higher salaries — New York or Olympia?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York, NY and $76,930 in Olympia, WA. New York, NY has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — New York or Olympia?
Washington has no state income tax. New York has a top rate of 10.90%.
What salary do I need in Olympia to match my New York income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology