CostIndexUSA

Olympia, WA vs St. Paul, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWA
Olympia
103.7
overall index
$2,025/mo rent
MN
St. Paul
104.8
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Olympia is slightly cheaper than St. Paul — 1.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Olympia, you would need $80,800 in St. Paul. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing4.2%
Olympia
116.7
St. Paul
111.8
🛒 Groceries1.8%
Olympia
105
St. Paul
103.1
🚗 Transportation+5.0%
Olympia
104.4
St. Paul
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+5.0%
Olympia
94.5
St. Paul
99.2
Utilities+2.0%
Olympia
91.7
St. Paul
93.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Olympia to see what you'd need to earn in St. Paul to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$80,800
$800 more needed in St. Paul

Formula: salary × (104.8 ÷ 103.7) = salary × 1.0106. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Olympia, WA

Median Home Price
$518,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,025
Housing Index
116.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.3×

St. Paul, MN

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
111.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

Olympia has 4.2% lower housing costs compared to St. Paul.

Income & Job Market

Olympia, WA

Median Household Income
$93,200
Per Capita Income
$53,100
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
53,532
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEducationRetailManufacturing

St. Paul, MN

Median Household Income
$95,100
Per Capita Income
$54,200
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
311,527
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceEducationGovernmentManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Olympia, WA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

St. Paul, MN
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.