2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Palmer, AK vs Olympia, WA

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Highlights
Are people in Olympia older or younger than people in Palmer?
- The Median Age in Olympia is 7.9 years older than in Palmer.

Are housing costs cheaper in Olympia or Palmer?
- Olympia housing costs are 34.5% more expensive than Palmer housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Olympia or Palmer?
- The average commute for residents of Olympia is 9.7 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Palmer.

Things to do in Palmer?
Living in Palmer, AK is a unique experience. The small town atmosphere and friendly locals make it a great place to call home. The outdoors offer countless activities, from hiking to fishing and hunting, or simply enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Alaskan wilderness. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor exploration, including local trails and nearby parks and recreation areas. Shopping in Palmer is also convenient with an array of stores to choose from. Public transportation makes getting around easy whether you need to get to Anchorage or Wasilla. Overall, Palmer is a wonderful place to live with its small-town charm and proximity to so many outdoor attractions.

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!

 Palmer, AKOlympia, WAUnited States
 Population  Unlock54,579329,725,481
 Median Income$62,068  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock38.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$351,300  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time30.16  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Palmer    3 Reviews

The first time I saw Palmer was in 1974. It's grown up from the old days of farm country complete with 4-H clubs, fields of crops and livestock. Gone are most of the  More

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Over 19 years ago

The four months of cold and dark. Winter lasts about 8 months, but the real cold, dark lasts about 4 months. It is getting harder and harder to deal with as I get  More

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Over 19 years ago

I have lived in Palmer for 11 years. I love everything about it except about four months of the dark, cold winters. The people are  More

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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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