2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Olympia, WA vs Arcata, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Arcata older or younger than people in Olympia?
- The Median Age in Arcata is 11.5 years younger than in Olympia.

Are housing costs cheaper in Arcata or Olympia?
- Arcata housing costs are 6.0% less expensive than Olympia housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Arcata or Olympia?
- The average commute for residents of Arcata is 3.5 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Olympia.

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!

Things to do in Arcata?
Nestled on California’s North Coast just south of Eureka, Arcata offers visitors an array of natural beauty from redwood forests to rugged coastline along with world-class dining experiences like the Alice Copper Restaurant & Brewery. The city hosts a variety of cultural attractions year round from art galleries to live music venues making it a great destination for everyone.

 Olympia, WAArcata, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock19,038329,725,481
 Median Income$67,975  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock26.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$472,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time20.48  Unlock26.38
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

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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

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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

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Reviews for Arcata    17 Reviews

Pros: Nature hikes Cons: One of highest crime rates in the nation. Opioid epidemic going on (you’ll regularly witness drug deals and ppl doing drugs) No  More

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It takes a special set of preferences to select Arcata. Is this you? - You love clouds and fog. You are happy if you see the sun maybe 10-20 times a year. - Chilly  More

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Over 11 years ago

I've lived in Humboldt for over 30 yrs and know all the areas well. Arcata is the jewel of Humboldt due to having a university and many liberal creative people. There is  More

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