salaryRent is higher than in 75% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.6 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $86,480 a year. That is $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Washington cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Washington. It is number 113 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Tumwater?
Share of households by yearly income. 37.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Tumwater
| Size | Tumwater | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,917 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,586 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,842 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,531 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,994 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Tumwater 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 Tumwater
Life in Tumwater
What jobs pay in Tumwater
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $154,860 | 16.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $153,940 | 16.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $145,950 | 17.8% |
| Lawyer | $132,900 | 19.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $125,020 | 20.8% |
| Software Developer | $124,060 | 20.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $122,950 | 21.1% |
| Operations Manager | $122,210 | 21.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,240 | 24.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $107,140 | 24.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $104,650 | 24.8% |
| Police Officer | $99,810 | 26.0% |
| Electrician | $96,600 | 26.9% |
| Accountant | $94,470 | 27.5% |
| Firefighter | $90,050 | 28.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $81,350 | 31.9% |
| Plumber | $80,030 | 32.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $79,910 | 32.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $76,260 | 34.0% |
| Carpenter | $63,260 | 41.0% |
| Truck Driver | $63,040 | 41.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $55,700 | 46.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $53,000 | 49.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,630 | 52.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,060 | 54.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,960 | 57.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,760 | 58.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,350 | 69.5% |
| Cashier | $37,340 | 69.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Tumwater?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,114 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $472,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $47,220 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Tumwater, WA?
Renting in Tumwater costs a median of about $2,162 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Tumwater?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $86,480 a year, or $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Tumwater cheap or expensive?
Tumwater is rated OK: rent takes 25.3% of the typical household income of $102,686. It ranks 113th cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Tumwater?
The median homeowner in Tumwater pays $4,292 a year in property taxes, about 0.91% of the median home value.
Is Tumwater 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 Tumwater?
The median home value in Tumwater is $472,200, about 4.6 times the typical yearly household income.
26,956 people live in Tumwater. Numbers are typical (middle) values.