($1,585) Movers From Richmond, VA to Olympia, WA

What to know before moving from Richmond to Olympia

Moving from Richmond to Olympia comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Olympia is generally more expensive than Richmond, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Olympia are 19% higher than in Richmond, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Richmond.
  Home prices in Olympia are 45.0% higher than in Richmond.
• Income in Olympia is 11.6% higher than in Richmond, 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.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Olympia, since the cost of living for a single person in Olympia is 8.9% higher than in Richmond. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Olympia, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Olympia is 1.0% higher than in Richmond.
• The unemployment rate in Olympia is 21.13% lower than in Richmond.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Olympia, since the city’s sales taxes in Olympia are 56.67% higher than in Richmond.
• One perk of moving to Olympia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Richmond.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,268.28 in Olympia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Richmond.

How life is different in Richmond vs. Olympia

• Olympia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 75% less than Richmond.
• Getting around Olympia without a car might be more difficult than in Richmond. Olympia has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Richmond is ranked 7. 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 Richmond. Based on its score of 39 out of 100, Olympia isn’t as walkable as Richmond, 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 Richmond 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 Richmond is rated as 51 out of 100.
• Olympia has a lower crime rate than Richmond based on scores of 27.95 and Richmond's 48.45, 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 Richmond, based on Olympia’s safety index of 62.25 versus 51.55 for Richmond. 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 Richmond 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 Richmond 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Washington, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Washington doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Olympia without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Olympia

With your sights set on "Oly", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Olympia.

Helpful moving resources