2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ocean Shores, WA vs Olympia, WA

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Olympia older or younger than people in Ocean Shores?
- The Median Age in Olympia is 24.7 years younger than in Ocean Shores.

Are housing costs cheaper in Olympia or Ocean Shores?
- Olympia housing costs are 35.8% more expensive than Ocean Shores housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Olympia or Ocean Shores?
- The average commute for residents of Olympia is 5.4 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Ocean Shores.

Things to do in Ocean Shores?
Living in Ocean Shores, WA is a truly unique experience. Located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State, Ocean Shores offers miles of beautiful sandy beaches, lush coastal forests, and quaint towns and villages. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy such as beachcombing, bird watching, surfing, kayaking, fishing, and more. In addition to its natural beauty, the city is home to an array of charming restaurants, cafes, shops and galleries that make it a favorite destination for visitors from near and far. It's also a great place to raise a family with its low crime rate and excellent schools. All told, living in Ocean Shores is a wonderful way to experience all of the beauty this state has to offer while living within a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

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!

 Ocean Shores, WAOlympia, WAUnited States
 Population  Unlock54,579329,725,481
 Median Income$52,255  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock38.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$347,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time25.84  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Ocean Shores    7 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

We are going on our 3rd year in OS. We love the small town feel, the low stress and feeling of safety. This is all for the winter months mind you. In the summer, it is a  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

Wonderful beach town.... we're going into our second year and I disagree with the grocery store comments and the weather. Yes, it rains or drizzles on occasion, but the  More

   |    Reply

We invested in Ocean Shores as a second home to spend our weekends after the work week stress. I'm also a property manager that works in Washington, Oregon and  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Ocean Shores

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.