Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Olympia, WA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 16.2% of gross income.

Olympia rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Olympia median rent
$2,013/mo
Pharmacist salary (Washington)
$148,680/yr
Rent as % of income
16.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $12,390, and the 30% rule supports up to $3,717/mo in rent. Olympia's median rent of $2,013 leaves roughly $1,704/mo of headroom under that threshold. A pharmacist works roughly 28.2 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a pharmacist salary

Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Washington cities have lower median rent than Olympia, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:

Ridgefield, WA
$2,011/mo (16.2% of income)
Burlington, WA
$2,011/mo (16.2% of income)
Clover Creek, WA
$2,011/mo (16.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Olympia

View full rent data for Olympia, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a pharmacist afford rent in Olympia, WA?

Median rent in Olympia is $2,013 a month. A typical pharmacist in Washington earns about $148,680 a year, which makes that rent 16.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Olympia?

Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in Washington (~$148,680/yr) supports up to $3,717 a month in rent. Olympia's current median rent is $2,013/mo, which leaves a $1,704/mo buffer.

How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Olympia?

At an hourly equivalent of about $71 an hour, a pharmacist in Washington works roughly 28.2 hours a month to cover Olympia's median rent of $2,013.

Where is rent cheaper than Olympia for a pharmacist?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Ridgefield ($2,011/mo), Burlington ($2,011/mo), Clover Creek ($2,011/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Washington state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Olympia, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.