Cost of living in Olympia, WA — Housing, Rent & Index

The median home value in Olympia, WA is $537,653 as of 2026-04. That places Olympia above the US average for housing cost, with a cost index of approximately 151 versus a national baseline of 100.

Over the past 12 months, the median home value in Olympia has moved sideways, and over the past five years it has averaged +3.6% annual growth. The current price sits -0.6% from its 5-year peak in 2026-02.

Renters pay a median of $1,938 per month in Olympia. Rents have changed +3.6% over the last year and averaged +4.6% per year over five years.

Beyond housing, day-to-day costs in Olympia are shaped by state and local taxes, utility rates, transportation, and groceries. This page focuses on the housing component, which is the largest single line in most household budgets and the easiest to compare across cities using consistent national data.