salaryRent is higher than in 82% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.7 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 33.8 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $94,960 a year. That is $46 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 139 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Yelm?
Share of households by yearly income. 26.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Yelm
| Size | Yelm | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,127 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,778 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,349 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,193 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Yelm overall?
Everyday prices in Washington overall are 7% above the U.S. average (index 107.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Yelm, so the Washington figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Yelm
Life in Yelm
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Yelm?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $785 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $455,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $45,530 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Yelm, WA?
Renting in Yelm costs a median of about $2,374 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Yelm?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $94,960 a year, or $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Yelm cheap or expensive?
Yelm is rated OK: rent takes 29.1% of the typical household income of $97,874. It ranks 139th cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Yelm?
The median homeowner in Yelm pays $3,474 a year in property taxes, about 0.76% of the median home value.
Is Yelm more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Washington are 7% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Yelm?
The median home value in Yelm is $455,300, about 4.7 times the typical yearly household income.
11,102 people live in Yelm. Numbers are typical (middle) values.