($1,444) Movers From Sacramento, CA to Olympia, WA

What to know before moving from Sacramento to Olympia

Moving from Sacramento to Olympia means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Sacramento than in Olympia, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Sacramento compares to Olympia so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices are the same in Olympia and Sacramento.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Sacramento.
  Home prices in Olympia are 6.7% higher than in Sacramento.
• Income in Olympia is 15.8% lower than in Sacramento, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Olympia include Washington State ESD, The Evergreen State College, and Employment Security Department.
• The cost of living for a single person in Olympia is 6.9% lower than in Sacramento. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Olympia is 12.9% lower than in Sacramento.
• The unemployment rate in Olympia is 27.27% lower than in Sacramento.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Olympia, since the city’s sales taxes in Olympia are 7.43% higher than in Sacramento.
• One perk of moving to Olympia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Sacramento.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,793.30 in Olympia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Sacramento.

How life is different in Sacramento vs. Olympia

• Olympia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 89% less than Sacramento.
• Getting around Olympia without a car might be more difficult than in Sacramento. Olympia has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Sacramento is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Olympia neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Sacramento. Based on its score of 39 out of 100, Olympia isn’t as walkable as Sacramento, which has a score of 49 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Olympia, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Sacramento. While Sacramento has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, Olympia earned a 59. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Olympia has a lower crime rate than Sacramento based on scores of 27.95 and Sacramento's 49.21, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Olympia than in Sacramento, based on Olympia’s safety index of 62.25 versus 50.79 for Sacramento. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Olympia has better air quality than in Sacramento. Olympia has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Sacramento. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Sacramento vs. Olympia move

• Weather: July, August and September are the driest months in Olympia, WA and so it would be best to plan moving during these months. Snow and rain might be a challenge deo relocation during the colder months, specially during December and January.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Washington does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Olympia. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Olympia

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Oly", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Olympia.

Helpful moving resources