Provo: Fastest-growing family metro in the Mountain West. Olympia: Capital-town Puget Sound at a discount.
Dimension
Provo
Olympia
Median home price
$548K
$534K
Effective property tax
0.57%
0.87%
Tax friendliness
6/10
9/10
Winter mildness
5/10
4/10
Summer comfort
7/10
10/10
Walkability
5/10
5/10
Outdoor access
9/10
8/10
Culture & food
5/10
5/10
Healthcare
10/10
5/10
Airport connectivity
5/10
9/10
Schools
8/10
7/10
Safety
8/10
7/10
Hazard safety (10 = lowest risk)
7/10
5/10
Growth trajectory
10/10
7/10
Pick Provo if your priorities lean: Effective property tax, Winter mildness, Outdoor access, Healthcare. Pick Olympia if they lean: Median home price, Tax friendliness, Summer comfort, Airport connectivity. There is no universal winner — only a winner for your weights.