RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · WA

Olympia

Pop. 55,951·60th most expensive in Washington·Olympia rents are up 6.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,008/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.2%
Month-over-Month
-0.3%
vs US Median
+$46
Stable (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Olympia rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Olympia · $2,008
More expensive than 59% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
63/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Olympia's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,008/mo
Expected by trend
$2,147/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Olympia's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,350
1 BR
$1,538
2 BR
$1,788
3 BR
$2,450
4 BR+
$3,000
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,788/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,008 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$24,096/yr
At $2,008/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (6.2% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.2% YoY, -0.3% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Olympia, WA is roughly split between renters and owners, 51.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
55,951
Median income
$81,302
Median age
40.5
Renters
50.2%
Age distribution
17.8%
23.9%
26.8%
19.7%
Under 1817.8%
18–3423.9%
35–5426.8%
55–6411.8%
65+19.7%
Gender
48.5%
51.5%
Male48.5%
Female51.5%
Race & ethnicity
74.3%
White74.3%
Black3%
Hispanic10.6%
Asian6.9%
Other5.2%
Education (25+)
17.5%
27.3%
51.8%
No HS diploma3.5%
HS diploma17.5%
Some college27.3%
Bachelor's+51.8%
Housing tenure
49.8%
50.2%
Owner49.8%
Renter50.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Olympia, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,554 → $2,008
up 29.2%
Income
$67,975 → $81,302
up 19.6%
Population
54,579 → 55,951
up 2.5%
Renter share
51.5% → 50.2%
-1.3 pts
Bachelor's+
46.3% → 51.8%
+5.5 pts
Median age
38.4 → 40.5
+2.1 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Olympia, WA has shifted from $1,554 to $2,008, up 29.2% since 2021. Household income in the area moved from $67,975 to $81,302 across the same window, up 19.6% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Olympia, WA adding about 1,372 residents over the five-year window, up 2.5% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 46.3% to 51.8% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Olympia, WA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Olympia

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Olympia rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Olympia on your salary?

At $2,008/mo, how Olympia rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Olympia rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Olympia. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Olympia

About renting in Olympia, WA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Olympia is $2,008/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,350/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,788/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,538/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,450/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($81,302/yr), Olympia ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Olympia an affordable city for renters?

Olympia is considered moderate for renters. At $2,008/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($81,302/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Olympia slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Olympia?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $80,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,008/mo in Olympia. The local median household income is $81,302/yr, meaning the typical Olympia household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Olympia?

Rent in Olympia has increased 6.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Olympia neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Olympia are 98501 ($1,941/mo), 98502 ($1,941/mo), and 98512 ($2,032/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Olympia is $2,008/mo.

How does Olympia rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Olympia is middle-of-the-pack for Washington for rent, ranking #60 out of 110 tracked cities at $2,008/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Olympia?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Olympia ($2,008/mo): Centralia ($1,318/mo), Shelton ($1,590/mo), Tumwater ($1,975/mo).

What percentage of Olympia residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 50.2% of Olympia households are renters, while 49.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Olympia has a strong rental market.

How does Olympia rent compare to the national average?

Olympia's median rent of $2,008/mo is $46 (2%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #60 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $2,008/mo, rent takes ~30% of Olympia's median household income ($81,302/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Olympia 30%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Olympia affordability calculator →
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Olympia, WA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Olympia.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google