2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Chelan, WA vs Olympia, WA

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Olympia older or younger than people in Chelan?
- The Median Age in Olympia is 5.9 years younger than in Chelan.

Are housing costs cheaper in Olympia or Chelan?
- Olympia housing costs are 11.4% more expensive than Chelan housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Olympia or Chelan?
- The average commute for residents of Olympia is 1.9 minutes longer than it is for residents of Chelan.

Things to do in Chelan?
Living in Chelan, WA is an amazing experience for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. It is located in the North Cascades region of Washington and is surrounded by stunning mountain views. The climate is mild and sunny during the summertime with temperatures rarely reaching more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter months, snow does fall occasionally but rarely accumulates deeply enough to cause any major inconveniences. The town of Chelan has a quaint and charming downtown area that features restaurants, shops, galleries, and plenty of activities for visitors or locals alike. There are multiple parks in town providing access to hiking trails, riverside paths, and playgrounds as well as picnic spots with magnificent views. Additionally, Lake Chelan is only a few miles away making it easy to enjoy some time out on the water whether you prefer fishing, swimming or just relaxing with a book. All in all, living in Chelan provides something special for everyone!

Things to do in Olympia?
Olympia, Washington is a scenic city located in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Home to the majestic Mt. Rainier and Puget Sound, Olympia offers an unrivaled combination of urban amenities and spectacular natural beauty. Visitors can explore its vibrant downtown district with its numerous shops, galleries and restaurants or spend time outdoors enjoying activities like fishing, hiking, kayaking and bird watching. With a thriving arts community, diverse population and welcoming atmosphere, Olympia is a great place to visit or call home!

 Chelan, WAOlympia, WAUnited States
 Population  Unlock54,579329,725,481
 Median Income$62,905  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock38.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$424,200  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time18.61  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Chelan    1 Reviews

Summer climate wonderful with many fruit orchards and water sports and fishing 55 mile long lake...2 cents per kwh make utility costs very low. Have new Walmart super  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Chelan

Reviews for Olympia    39 Reviews

We moved here from Kitsap Bremerton/Silverdale WA area and this beats it all the way in all material ways. The only reason not to give it 5 stars is the cost of  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

The city is horrible. The business have been chased out by homeless. The city government makes it for difficult for businesses to thrive. If you like what Seattle is  More

   |    Reply

Having lived all over the world we decided to retire in Olympia and live on the Puget Sound. Yes it rains but the weather can change dramatically in a day with sun and  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Olympia


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.