2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Olympia, WA vs St. Helens, OR

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in St. Helens or is it cheaper to live in Olympia?
- St. Helens is 2.1% more expensive than Olympia.

Which city has more affordable housing, St. Helens or Olympia?
- St. Helens housing costs are 19.4% less expensive than Olympia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Olympia or is Health Care more affordable in St. Helens.
- Health related expenses are 7.2% more in St. Helens.
 Olympia, WASt. Helens, ORUnited States
 Overall  Unlock114.4100
 Food & Groceries101.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock93.4100
 Housing155.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$411,400$338,100
 Utilities74  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock137.0100
 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 St. Helens    3 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

Poor community with a lo of riff-raff and shady  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 2 YEARS NOW,COMING HERE FROM THE MID-WEST,AND I AM HERE TO STAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE AND EVEN INTO THE HEREAFTER. THE BEAUTY OF THE PACIFIC  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

As a transplant from California, I was suprised at first with the moderate weather as I had been told how wet and dreary the Portland area was in comparison. Yes it  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of St. Helens


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.