What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.
If you're considering a move to Olympia, WA, the most important variables are the local housing market, the cost structure (taxes, insurance, utilities), and how well the city fits your day-to-day life. This page summarizes the housing market read; pair it with the cost of living page for the full picture.
Olympia is a city in Thurston County, Washington, with an estimated population of 56,271. It anchors the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater metro area. The median home value in Olympia is $537,653 as of 2026-04, up 0.0% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +3.6% annual growth, with prices at or near the 5-year peak. Rents in Olympia average $1,938 per month, up 3.6% year-over-year. The composite momentum score is 63 of 100 (Rising). The market is healthy with prices supported by underlying demand.
Quiet strength: prices near or at all-time highs (-0.6% from 5-year peak). Solid market for owner-occupiers; investors should underwrite conservatively given the elevated entry point.
Reasons people move here
- Held the highs: currently -0.6% from the 5-year peak — this market refused to give back gains.
- The data is the data: Olympia has at least 5 years of Zillow tracking, full Census identification, and is included in the 2-criteria momentum score on this page.
Things to know first
- Local nuance: city-level data smooths over neighborhood differences. School zones, HOA rules, and street-level character matter — visit before deciding.
- Local nuance (school zones, neighborhood quality) varies block by block — visit before deciding.
More about Olympia
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.