2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Olympia, WA vs San Mateo, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Mateo or is it cheaper to live in Olympia?
- San Mateo is 123.0% more expensive than Olympia.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Mateo or Olympia?
- San Mateo housing costs are 245.9% more expensive than Olympia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Olympia or is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo.
- Health related expenses are 34.8% more in San Mateo.
 Olympia, WASan Mateo, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock250.0100
 Food & Groceries101.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock117.4100
 Housing155.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,378,900$338,100
 Utilities74  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock143.4100
 Miscellaneous143.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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 San Mateo    12 Reviews

I have lived in San Mateo since 2013. It has seen tremendous growth, lots of new restaurants which have become progressively more high-end though there is ample  More

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I'm a native of California. I have lived in the southern part of the state and the northern part of the state for most of my life. I have spent the last 29 years in  More

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Over 15 years ago

San Mateo has a diverse mix of people, a pleasant climate, a very pleasant downtown park with lots going on, and pretty much whatever you need handy. It's not far to  More

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