1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Olympia, WA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Olympia, Washington as of July 2026. That's +24% lower than the citywide median of $2,013 and +10% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Olympia
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Olympia
Compare Olympia's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Washington
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midland | $737 |
| 2 | Pullman | $880 |
| 3 | Aberdeen | $890 |
| 4 | Port Angeles | $890 |
| 5 | Moses Lake | $940 |
| 6 | Chehalis | $980 |
| 7 | Clarkston | $980 |
| 8 | Shelton | $980 |
| 9 | Ellensburg | $1,010 |
| 10 | Sedro-Woolley | $1,026 |
| 11 | Yakima | $1,040 |
| 12 | Cheney | $1,070 |
| 13 | Spokane | $1,096 |
| 14 | Wenatchee | $1,100 |
| 15 | Longview | $1,150 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Washington
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sammamish | $3,335 |
| 2 | Snoqualmie | $3,130 |
| 3 | Issaquah | $2,880 |
| 4 | Maple Valley | $2,680 |
| 5 | Bothell | $2,537 |
| 6 | North Bend | $2,370 |
| 7 | Mukilteo | $2,370 |
| 8 | Covington | $2,370 |
| 9 | Lake Stevens | $2,340 |
| 10 | Edmonds | $2,230 |
| 11 | Dupont | $2,230 |
| 12 | Newcastle | $2,226 |
| 13 | Bellevue | $2,205 |
| 14 | Kenmore | $2,190 |
| 15 | Monroe | $2,180 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Olympia.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Olympia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tumwater, WA | 3.8 mi | $1,496 | $-42 (-3%) |
| Lacey, WA | 12.6 mi | $1,767 | +$229 (+15%) |
| Shelton, WA | 19.1 mi | $980 | $-558 (-36%) |
| Dupont, WA | 20.7 mi | $2,230 | +$692 (+45%) |
| Centralia, WA | 21.4 mi | $1,400 | $-138 (-9%) |
| Steilacoom, WA | 22.4 mi | $1,550 | +$12 (+1%) |
| Chehalis, WA | 29 mi | $980 | $-558 (-36%) |
| University Place, WA | 30.4 mi | $1,550 | +$12 (+1%) |
| Lakewood, WA | 30.9 mi | $1,455 | $-83 (-5%) |
| Gig Harbor, WA | 31.6 mi | $2,055 | +$517 (+34%) |
| Yelm, WA | 34.7 mi | $1,600 | +$62 (+4%) |
| Parkland, WA | 36 mi | $1,450 | $-88 (-6%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Olympia — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Olympia?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Olympia, Washington is $1,538 per month. This is +24% below the citywide median of $2,013.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Olympia?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $61,520 ($5,127/month gross), which works out to roughly $29.58/hour at a full-time job.
Is Olympia expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Olympia's 1-bedroom median of $1,538 is +10% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 59th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Olympia rank for 1-bedroom rent in Washington?
Among the 105 cities in Washington with 1-bedroom data, Olympia ranks #43 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Olympia?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Tumwater ($1,496), Shelton ($980), Centralia ($1,400).