Key factors that impact the cost of your Indianapolis to Olympia move
What to know before moving from Indianapolis to Olympia
Moving from Indianapolis to Olympia means adjusting to a different pace of life โ and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Indianapolis than in Olympia, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Indianapolis compares to Olympia so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Indianapolis | Olympia | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,399 | $1,895 |
Average home value | $220,467 | $508,798 |
Average income (per capita) | $59,110 | $66,492 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,804 | $2,473 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,667 | $5,391 |
Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 5.6% |
Sales tax | 7.0% | 9.4% |
State income tax | 3.15% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Olympia are 36% higher than in Indianapolis, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Indianapolis.
Home prices in Olympia are 130.8% higher than in Indianapolis. - Income in Olympia is 12.5% higher than in Indianapolis, so you could earn more 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 11.8% lower than in Indianapolis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in Olympia is 19.1% lower than in Indianapolis.
- The unemployment rate in Olympia and Indianapolis.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Olympia, since the cityโs sales taxes in Olympia are 34.29% higher than in Indianapolis.
- One perk of moving to Olympia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Indianapolis.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,645.86 in Olympia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Indianapolis.
How life is different in Indianapolis vs. Olympia
Olympia | Indianapolis | |
---|---|---|
Population | 55,605 | 887,642 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 5 |
Walkability score | 39 | 31 |
Bike friendliness score | 59 | 43 |
Crime Index | 27.95 | 60.71 |
Safety Index | 62.25 | 39.29 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Olympia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 94% less than Indianapolis.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Olympia will be about the same as it currently is in Indianapolis. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
- Living in Olympia means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Indianapolis. Olympia is considered more walkable than Indianapolis, with a score of 39 out of 100 versus 31 out of 100 in Indianapolis. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Olympia is considered more bike-friendly than Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis is rated as 43 out of 100.
- Olympia has a lower crime rate than Indianapolis based on scores of 27.95 and Indianapolis's 60.71, 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 Indianapolis, based on Olympiaโs safety index of 62.25 versus 39.29 for Indianapolis. 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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis 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.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- South Capitol
- Eastside
- Bigelow
- South Westside
- Wellington West
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bigelow Highlands
- Woodfield Estates
- Indian Creek
- Governor Stevens
- Carlyon-North
Things to do in Olympia
Once youโre settled into your new home in Washington, itโs time to get out and discover what Olympia has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Olympia features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Hands On Children's Museum, Olympic Flight Museum, WET Science Center, Bigelow House Museum, and Childhood's End Gallery.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Squaxin Park, Percival Landing, and Tolmie State Park โ among other spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Indianapolis to Olympia?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Indianapolis to Olympia are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Indianapolis are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Indianapolis to Olympia?
With many people choosing to move from Indianapolis to Olympia in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Indianapolis to Olympia take?
Moving from Indianapolis, IN to Olympia, WA covers 2,285 miles and usually takes seven to 18 days. Need to move faster? Some Indianapolis movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Olympia.