Olympia

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Olympia, WA

Area Guide

Bask in the beautiful waterfront lifestyle of Washington’s state capital

Bayfront Lakeside Picturesque Historic Active Nautical

Nestled at the southern tip of Puget Sound, Olympia combines waterfront scenery with the distinction of being Washington's capital city. From historic downtown apartments to residential communities in East Olympia and South Capitol, the housing options are extensive. The rental market remains stable, with current average rents ranging from $1,308 for studios to $2,378 for four-bedroom homes, showing modest year-over-year increases between 0.7% and 2.1%. The city features an extensive trail system, including Squaxin Park (formerly Priest Point Park) with its 150-year-old forest and waterfront access, while downtown hosts the historic Capitol Theater and Washington Center for Performing Arts.

Downtown Olympia centers around Percival Landing, where the year-round Olympia Farmers Market draws visitors to the waterfront boardwalk. The Evergreen State College and South Puget Sound Community College contribute to the city's educational landscape. The South Capitol Historic District features preserved craftsman homes, while the West Side offers residential communities near parks and natural areas. Downtown's artesian wells, including the historic Fourth Avenue Fountain, remain an integral part of local heritage. The annual Procession of the Species parade, held each April, showcases the community's artistic spirit through elaborate costumes and performances.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Olympia, WA is $1,288 for a studio, $1,514 for one bedroom, $1,806 for two bedrooms, and $2,102 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Olympia has increased by 2.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,514/month
672 Sq Ft
House
$2,633/month
1,763 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,430/month
1,304 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Olympia, WA

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Olympia, WA is 12.3% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Olympia is 17.9% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,288 - $2,102. You can expect to pay 4.5% more for groceries, 6.8% less for utilities, and 26.0% more for transportation.

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Transportation

53

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

33

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

62

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

McKenny Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

393 Students

Roosevelt Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

382 Students

Griffin School

Public

Grades PK-8

577 Students

Littlerock Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

355 Students

Leland P Brown Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

316 Students

Jefferson Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

447 Students

Washington Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

750 Students

Thurgood Marshall Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

441 Students

Griffin School

Public

Grades PK-8

577 Students

Reeves Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

392 Students

Olympia High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,838 Students

Capital High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,326 Students

Touchstone

Public

Grades 6-12

4 Students

Points of Interest

Top Apartments in Olympia

Houses for Rent in Olympia

Property Management Companies in Olympia, WA

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.