($1,572) Movers From Lansing, MI to Olympia, WA

What to know before moving from Lansing to Olympia

Moving from Lansing to Olympia comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Olympia is generally more expensive than Lansing, 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 68% higher than in Lansing, 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 Lansing.
  Home prices in Olympia are 242.5% higher than in Lansing.
• Income in Olympia is 2.7% higher than in Lansing, 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 55.0% higher than in Lansing. 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 28.4% higher than in Lansing.
• The unemployment rate in Olympia is 24.32% lower than in Lansing.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Olympia, since the city’s sales taxes in Olympia are 56.67% higher than in Lansing.
• One perk of moving to Olympia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Lansing.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,651.41 in Olympia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Lansing.

How life is different in Lansing vs. Olympia

• Olympia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 51% less than Lansing.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Olympia will be about the same as it currently is in Lansing. 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.
• Olympia neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Lansing. Based on its score of 39 out of 100, Olympia isn’t as walkable as Lansing, which has a score of 46 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 Lansing 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 Lansing is rated as 55 out of 100.
• Olympia has a lower crime rate than Lansing based on scores of 27.95 and Lansing's 48.66, 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 Lansing, based on Olympia’s safety index of 62.25 versus 51.34 for Lansing. 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 Lansing 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 Lansing 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Washington moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Washington doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Olympia. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Olympia

Ready to relocate to "Oly"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Olympia.

Helpful moving resources