Living in Olympia, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Olympia · Census data 2020–2024
Olympia has 55,951 residents with a median age of 40.5. The median household income is $81,302 (17% lower than the Washington median), the median home value is $486,200, the median rent is $1,599/month.
Olympia at a glance
- Population
- 55,951
- Median age
- 40.5State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $81,302State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $486,200State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $1,599/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 49.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 51.8%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Olympia a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 14% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 17% lower than the Washington median; unemployment of 7.3%; a poverty rate of 14%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Olympia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Olympia the median home value is $486,200, 46% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,599 per month, which is 34.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,261 a month in housing costs.
Olympia median household income
The median household income in Olympia is $81,302 and the income per person is $45,674. 14% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Olympia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 26,795
- Owner-occupied
- 49.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 50.2%
- Vacant
- 5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 2.16
Olympia demographics
- Population
- 55,951
- Median age
- 40.5
- Under 18
- 17.8%
- 65 and older
- 19.7%
- Households
- 25,451
- Foreign-born
- 8.4%
- Veterans
- 7.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Olympia ›
Education in Olympia
51.8% of adults 25 and older in Olympia have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 20.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Olympia
- Unemployment rate
- 7.3%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 25.6%
- Drive alone
- 59.4%
- Public transit
- 1.9%
- Walk to work
- 4.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.8%
Olympia vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia | 55,951 | $81,302 | $486,200 | $1,599 |
| Tumwater | 26,956 | $95,212 | $472,200 | $1,779 |
| Lacey | 57,737 | $90,625 | $457,100 | $1,870 |
| Tanglewilde | 6,314 | $100,714 | $444,900 | $1,852 |
| Nisqually Indian Community | 628 | $73,750 | $310,000 | $1,000 |
| DuPont | 9,931 | $120,781 | $583,600 | $2,322 |
| Anderson Island | 1,448 | $80,282 | $546,300 | — |
| Tenino | 2,025 | $82,639 | $369,000 | $1,400 |
| Yelm | 11,102 | $90,750 | $455,300 | $1,626 |
More for people moving to Olympia
Olympia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Olympia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Olympia, WA?
The median household income in Olympia is $81,302, 17% lower than the Washington median of $98,141 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Olympia?
The median home value in Olympia is $486,200, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Olympia?
The median gross rent in Olympia is $1,599 per month, about 34.6% of household income.
Is Olympia, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 14% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: median household income 17% lower than the Washington median; unemployment of 7.3%; a poverty rate of 14%.
What is the median age in Olympia?
The median age in Olympia is 40.5 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Olympia?
The average commute to work in Olympia is 20 minutes; 25.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Olympia?
The unemployment rate in Olympia is 7.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Olympia?
51.8% of adults in Olympia have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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