($1,952) Movers From Manchester, NH to Olympia, WA

What to know before moving from Manchester to Olympia

Moving from Manchester to Olympia comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Olympia is generally more expensive than Manchester, 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 5% lower than in Manchester, 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 Manchester.
  Home prices in Olympia are 24.0% higher than in Manchester.
• Income is the same in Olympia and Manchester. 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 is the same in Olympia and Manchester. 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 2.6% higher than in Manchester.
• The unemployment rate in Olympia is 47.37% higher than in Manchester.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Olympia, since the city’s sales taxes in Olympia are 9.40% higher than in Manchester.
• One perk of moving to Olympia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Manchester.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,029.40 in Olympia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Manchester.

How life is different in Manchester vs. Olympia

• Olympia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 52% less than Manchester.
• Olympia offers better access to buses and trains than Manchester, based on public transportation ratings. Olympia has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 3 in Manchester. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Olympia neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Manchester. Based on its score of 39 out of 100, Olympia isn’t as walkable as Manchester, 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 Manchester 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 Manchester is rated as 42 out of 100.
• Olympia has a lower crime rate than Manchester based on scores of 27.95 and Manchester's 56.09, 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 Manchester, based on Olympia’s safety index of 62.25 versus 43.91 for Manchester. 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 Manchester 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 Manchester 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Washington, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toOlympia Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Olympia

Now that you’ve chosen "Oly" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Olympia to check out.

Helpful moving resources