2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Olympia, WA vs Portland, OR

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Highlights
Are people in Portland older or younger than people in Olympia?
- The Median Age in Portland is 0.5 years younger than in Olympia.

Are housing costs cheaper in Portland or Olympia?
- Portland housing costs are 13.7% more expensive than Olympia housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Portland or Olympia?
- The average commute for residents of Portland is 5.7 minutes longer 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 Portland?
Portland, Oregon is a vibrant city full of culture and fun activities. Spend the day exploring downtown or visit some of the city's many parks, trails and gardens such as Washington Park and Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Enjoy top restaurants, breweries, shopping and nightlife activities around Alberta Street or take in the majestic views from Mount Tabor. For those looking for more adventure and exploration, head out to the Columbia River Gorge or the Cascade Mountains. From its unique attractions to its natural beauty, Portland is sure to keep you busy!

 Olympia, WAPortland, ORUnited States
 Population  Unlock647,176329,725,481
 Median Income$67,975  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock37.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$472,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.9%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 Portland    386 Reviews

I lived in Portland for 19 years (I've also lived in Boise, ID, the Bay Area, Austin, TX and now Nampa, ID). It drives me nuts when people try to give a large city a  More

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One of the best cities in America. Food scene is the best in the world. Weather is preferable over places where you have the same weather year round. I enjoy the  More

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I moved from Houston to Portland about a year ago. I remember reading the reviews on here and it making me second guess moving before I did, so I wanted to come back and  More

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