Studio Apartment Rent in Olympia, WA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Olympia, Washington as of October 2026. That's +31% lower than the citywide median of $1,969 and +5% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Olympia
Compare Olympia's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Washington
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aberdeen | $790 |
| 2 | Port Angeles | $800 |
| 3 | Pullman | $800 |
| 4 | Chehalis | $870 |
| 5 | Sedro-Woolley | $893 |
| 6 | Ellensburg | $910 |
| 7 | Longview | $930 |
| 8 | Moses Lake | $940 |
| 9 | Cheney | $950 |
| 10 | Kelso | $950 |
| 11 | Shelton | $970 |
| 12 | Spokane | $974 |
| 13 | Wenatchee | $990 |
| 14 | Yakima | $1,027 |
| 15 | Spokane Valley | $1,036 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Washington
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sammamish | $3,255 |
| 2 | Snoqualmie | $3,060 |
| 3 | Issaquah | $2,815 |
| 4 | Mercer Island | $2,770 |
| 5 | Maple Valley | $2,610 |
| 6 | Woodinville | $2,540 |
| 7 | Bothell | $2,473 |
| 8 | North Bend | $2,310 |
| 9 | Mukilteo | $2,310 |
| 10 | Covington | $2,310 |
| 11 | Lake Stevens | $2,280 |
| 12 | Newcastle | $2,260 |
| 13 | Renton | $2,238 |
| 14 | Edmonds | $2,180 |
| 15 | Kenmore | $2,140 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Olympia.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Olympia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tumwater, WA | 3.8 mi | $1,808 | +$458 (+34%) |
| Lacey, WA | 12.6 mi | $1,557 | +$207 (+15%) |
| Shelton, WA | 19.1 mi | $970 | $-380 (-28%) |
| Dupont, WA | 20.7 mi | $1,970 | +$620 (+46%) |
| Centralia, WA | 21.4 mi | $1,210 | $-140 (-10%) |
| Steilacoom, WA | 22.4 mi | $1,370 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Chehalis, WA | 29 mi | $870 | $-480 (-36%) |
| University Place, WA | 30.4 mi | $1,365 | +$15 (+1%) |
| Lakewood, WA | 30.9 mi | $1,290 | $-60 (-4%) |
| Gig Harbor, WA | 31.6 mi | $1,815 | +$465 (+34%) |
| Yelm, WA | 34.7 mi | $1,410 | +$60 (+4%) |
| Parkland, WA | 36 mi | $1,290 | $-60 (-4%) |
Studio rent in Olympia — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Olympia?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Olympia, Washington is $1,350 per month. This is +31% below the citywide median of $1,969.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Olympia?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $54,000 ($4,500/month gross), which works out to roughly $25.96/hour at a full-time job.
Is Olympia expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Olympia's studio median of $1,350 is +5% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 54th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Olympia rank for studio rent in Washington?
Among the 103 cities in Washington with studio data, Olympia ranks #36 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Olympia?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Shelton ($970), Centralia ($1,210), Chehalis ($870).