salaryRent is higher than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.5 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $71,280 a year. That is $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Washington cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Washington. It is number 50 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Olympia?
Share of households by yearly income. 28.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Olympia
| Size | Olympia | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,349 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,422 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,787 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,147 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,052 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Olympia overall?
Everyday prices in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater metro area are 4% above the U.S. average (index 103.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Olympia
Life in Olympia
What jobs pay in Olympia
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $154,860 | 13.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $153,940 | 13.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $145,950 | 14.7% |
| Lawyer | $132,900 | 16.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $125,020 | 17.1% |
| Software Developer | $124,060 | 17.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $122,950 | 17.4% |
| Operations Manager | $122,210 | 17.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,240 | 19.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $107,140 | 20.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $104,650 | 20.4% |
| Police Officer | $99,810 | 21.4% |
| Electrician | $96,600 | 22.1% |
| Accountant | $94,470 | 22.6% |
| Firefighter | $90,050 | 23.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $81,350 | 26.3% |
| Plumber | $80,030 | 26.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $79,910 | 26.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $76,260 | 28.0% |
| Carpenter | $63,260 | 33.8% |
| Truck Driver | $63,040 | 33.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $55,700 | 38.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $53,000 | 40.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,630 | 43.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,060 | 44.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,960 | 47.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,760 | 47.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,350 | 57.3% |
| Cashier | $37,340 | 57.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Olympia?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,592 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $486,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $48,620 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Olympia, WA?
Renting in Olympia costs a median of about $1,782 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Olympia?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $71,280 a year, or $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Olympia cheap or expensive?
Olympia is rated OK: rent takes 24.4% of the typical household income of $87,684. It ranks 50th cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Olympia?
The median homeowner in Olympia pays $4,396 a year in property taxes, about 0.90% of the median home value.
Is Olympia more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Olympia?
The median home value in Olympia is $486,200, about 5.5 times the typical yearly household income.
55,951 people live in Olympia. Numbers are typical (middle) values.