2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Olympia, WA vs Santa Clara, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Clara or is it cheaper to live in Olympia?
- Santa Clara is 106.1% more expensive than Olympia.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Clara or Olympia?
- Santa Clara housing costs are 224.0% more expensive than Olympia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Olympia or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Clara.
- Health related expenses are 23.7% more in Santa Clara.
 Olympia, WASanta Clara, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock231.0100
 Food & Groceries101.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock107.7100
 Housing155.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,438,500$338,100
 Utilities74  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock140.5100
 Miscellaneous143.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

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

Reviews for Santa Clara    14 Reviews

Larry · 

Santa Clara, CA and the city government are great. The city has been for the most part very good to me. I grew up in Santa Clara and now that I have been away for two  More

   |    Reply

I have lived in Santa Clara California most of my life so I consider myself to be an expert. The climate is wonderful. The price of housing is way above the national  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

Good Central Park and activities; City-owned power company provides lower cost power; home to many high-tech companies; city is  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Clara


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.