($1,512) Movers From Tampa, FL to Olympia, WA

What to know before moving from Tampa to Olympia

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

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

• Rent prices in Olympia are 2% lower than in Tampa, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Tampa.
  Home prices in Olympia are 37.0% higher than in Tampa.
• Income is the same in Olympia and Tampa. 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 23.5% lower than in Tampa. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Olympia is 33.5% lower than in Tampa.
• The unemployment rate in Olympia is 12.00% higher than in Tampa.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Olympia, since the city’s sales taxes in Olympia are 44.62% higher than in Tampa.
• State income taxes are the same in Olympia and Tampa.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,295.48 in Olympia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Tampa.

How life is different in Tampa vs. Olympia

• Olympia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 86% less than Tampa.
• Getting around Olympia without a car might be more difficult than in Tampa. Olympia has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Tampa is ranked 8. 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 Tampa. Based on its score of 39 out of 100, Olympia isn’t as walkable as Tampa, which has a score of 51 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.
• If cycling is your thing, Olympia is considered more bike-friendly than Tampa in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Olympia has a bike-friendliness score of 59 out of 100, while Tampa is rated as 51 out of 100.
• Olympia has a lower crime rate than Tampa based on scores of 27.95 and Tampa's 46.15, 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 Tampa, based on Olympia’s safety index of 62.25 versus 53.85 for Tampa. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Olympia and Tampa is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Tampa 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