ZIP Code · WA

ZIP 98597

Part of Yelm, WA

Pop. 26,669·Thurston County·50th most expensive ZIP in Washington

Median rent (all units)

$2,364/mo

Year-over-Year

+11.1%

Month-over-Month

+0.7%

vs US Median

+$432

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 98597 · $2,364

More expensive than 76% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,480

1 BR

$1,620

2 BR

$1,890

3 BR

$2,520

4 BR+

$3,170

Research median

$1,890/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 98597 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2023.

Past year vs. the rest of Washington

Rent in ZIP 98597 changed +11.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.5%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($92,219) is $2,305 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,890); a 3-bedroom is $2,520.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 98597. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$28,368/yr

At $2,364/mo median

Location

CityYelm

StateWA

CountyThurston County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 11.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+11.1% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 98597 (Yelm, WA) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 24.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

26,669

Median income

$92,219

Median age

36.7

Renters

21.8%

Age distribution

24.7%

22.4%

28.4%

12.6%

Under 1824.7%

18–3422.4%

35–5428.4%

55–6411.9%

65+12.6%

Gender

52.6%

47.4%

Male52.6%

Female47.4%

Race & ethnicity

76.2%

White76.2%

Black3.3%

Hispanic12%

Asian1.4%

Other7.1%

Education (25+)

27.1%

40.6%

24.1%

No HS diploma8.2%

HS diploma27.1%

Some college40.6%

Bachelor's+24.1%

Housing tenure

78.2%

21.8%

Owner78.2%

Renter21.8%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 98597 in Yelm, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,909 → $2,364

up 23.8%

Income

$82,341 → $92,219

up 12.0%

Population

26,222 → 26,669

up 1.7%

Renter share

20.3% → 21.8%

+1.5 pts

Bachelor's+

19.2% → 24.1%

+4.9 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in ZIP 98597 in Yelm, WA has shifted from $1,909 to $2,364, up 23.8% since 2023. Median household income climbed from $82,341 to $92,219 between 2021 and 2024, a 12.0% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show ZIP 98597 in Yelm, WA adding about 447 residents over the five-year window, up 1.7% on net. The renter share has risen from 20.3% to 21.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 19.2% to 24.1% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 98597 in Yelm, WA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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About renting in ZIP 98597

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 98597 covers Yelm, WA. The median rent here is $2,364/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,620/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,890/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($92,219/yr), ZIP 98597 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 98597?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $95,000/year (about $46/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,364/mo in ZIP 98597. The local median household income is $92,219/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 98597?

Rent in ZIP 98597 has risen 11.1% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2023.

How does ZIP 98597 compare to other ZIPs in Washington?

ZIP 98597 is one of the pricier among Washington ZIP codes for rent, ranking #50 of 207 at $2,364/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 98597 changed +11.1%, against a typical +2.5% across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks.