Living in Yelm, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Yelm · Census data 2020–2024
Yelm has 11,102 residents with a median age of 31. The median household income is $90,750 (8% lower than the Washington median), the median home value is $455,300, the median rent is $1,626/month.
Yelm at a glance
- Population
- 11,102
- Median age
- 31State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $90,750State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $455,300State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $1,626/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 66.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27.4%
- Average commute
- 34 min
Is Yelm a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 19% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.8%; a poverty rate of 6.1%.
Cons: Median household income 8% lower than the Washington median; an average commute of 34 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Yelm
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Yelm the median home value is $455,300, 37% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,626 per month, which is 28.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,504 a month in housing costs.
Yelm median household income
The median household income in Yelm is $90,750 and the income per person is $34,142. 6.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Yelm: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 3,748
- Owner-occupied
- 66.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 33.4%
- Vacant
- 1.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 2004
- Average household size
- 2.98
Yelm demographics
- Population
- 11,102
- Median age
- 31
- Under 18
- 29.4%
- 65 and older
- 7%
- Households
- 3,703
- Foreign-born
- 8.2%
- Veterans
- 18.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Yelm ›
Education in Yelm
27.4% of adults 25 and older in Yelm have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 10.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Yelm
- Unemployment rate
- 3.8%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 34 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 8.7%
- Drive alone
- 71.7%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 2.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.3%
Yelm vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yelm | 11,102 | $90,750 | $455,300 | $1,626 |
| North Yelm | 2,522 | $73,725 | $384,500 | $1,464 |
| Rainier | 2,455 | $106,019 | $425,900 | $1,227 |
| McKenna | 669 | $92,667 | $539,800 | — |
| Roy | 735 | $98,750 | $442,600 | $2,227 |
| Nisqually Indian Community | 628 | $73,750 | $310,000 | $1,000 |
| Tanglewilde | 6,314 | $100,714 | $444,900 | $1,852 |
| Lacey | 57,737 | $90,625 | $457,100 | $1,870 |
| Fort Lewis | 15,167 | $58,796 | — | $2,282 |
More for people moving to Yelm
Yelm ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Yelm: FAQ
What is the median household income in Yelm, WA?
The median household income in Yelm is $90,750, 8% 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 Yelm?
The median home value in Yelm is $455,300, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Yelm?
The median gross rent in Yelm is $1,626 per month, about 28.8% of household income.
Is Yelm, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 19% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.8%; a poverty rate of 6.1%. Minuses: median household income 8% lower than the Washington median; an average commute of 34 minutes.
What is the median age in Yelm?
The median age in Yelm is 31 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Yelm?
The average commute to work in Yelm is 34 minutes; 8.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Yelm?
The unemployment rate in Yelm is 3.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Yelm?
27.4% of adults in Yelm 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.
Last updated: