City · 55,951 residents · Thurston County, Washington
Olympia, Washington
In Olympia, a typical home is worth $486,200 and typical rent is $1,599 a month. Compared with all of Thurston County, typical household income is 16% lower, typical rent is 8% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 18 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $473,105 to $526,205.
Typical rent
$1,969a month
▲ 2.8% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,645 to $1,969.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Olympia is in Thurston County. The FHA loan limit ($586,500 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Thurston County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
50% of households in Olympia own their home, against 68% in Thurston County.
2
The typical household income in Olympia is $81,302,16% less than in Thurston County as a whole ($96,563).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Olympia
What homes there are in Olympia, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Olympia
Thurston County
Washington
United States
Kind of home: Olympia and its comparisons
Measure
Olympia
Thurston County
Washington
United States
Detached house
52%
67%
62%
61%
Attached house
5%
4%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
8%
6%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
31%
15%
22%
19%
Mobile home
2%
8%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
In Olympia, 5 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Thurston County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Olympia
Thurston County
Washington
United States
Year built: Olympia and its comparisons
Measure
Olympia
Thurston County
Washington
United States
Before 1960
25%
12%
21%
26%
1960–1979
23%
22%
23%
24%
1980–1999
28%
32%
27%
25%
2000–2009
11%
19%
15%
14%
2010 or later
14%
16%
14%
11%
Homes in Olympia are older: the typical year built is 1982; in Thurston County, 1991.
In Olympia, 20% of homes have 1 bedroom or none (studios); 50% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 65% in Thurston County.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $100K4%
$100K–$200K2%
$200K–$300K4%
$300K–$500K44%
$500K–$750K37%
FHA limit: $586,500
$750K–$1M6%
$1M or more2%
Value of owner-occupied homes: Olympia and its comparisons
Measure
Olympia
Under $100K
4%
$100K–$200K
2%
$200K–$300K
4%
$300K–$500K
44%
$500K–$750K
37%
$750K–$1M
6%
$1M or more
2%
About 67% of owner-occupied homes in Olympia are worth less than the FHA loan limit for Thurston County ($586,500).
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $5005%
$500–$99911%
$1,000–$1,49929%
$1,500–$1,99931%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,946
$2,000–$2,49919%
$2,500–$2,9995%
$3,000 or more3%
Monthly rent with utilities: Olympia and its comparisons
Measure
Olympia
Under $500
5%
$500–$999
11%
$1,000–$1,499
29%
$1,500–$1,999
31%
$2,000–$2,499
19%
$2,500–$2,999
5%
$3,000 or more
3%
About 71% of rented homes in Olympia cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent for Thurston County ($1,946).
With a mortgage
$2,261 a month
Thurston County: $2,288 a month
Without a mortgage
$824 a month
Thurston County: $753 a month
Owners with a mortgage
66%
Thurston County: 67%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Olympia is $2,261 a month, near the figure in Thurston County ($2,288).
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Olympia+64%
Thurston County+67%
Washington+67%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Olympia+40%
Thurston County+43%
Washington+40%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Olympia+36%
Thurston County+34%
Washington+33%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Olympia and its comparisons
Measure
Olympia
Thurston County
Washington
United States
Typical home value
+64%
+67%
+67%
+53%
Typical rent
+40%
+43%
+40%
+33%
Typical household income
+36%
+34%
+33%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Olympia rose 64%; in Thurston County, it rose 67%.
The typical rent in Olympia rose 40% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Thurston County (43%).
Housing prices ran ahead of income in Olympia: typical income rose 36%, against +64% for home values and +40% for rent.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Olympia and its comparisons
Measure
Olympia
Thurston County
Washington
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
4.0%
4.5%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
1.0%
0.7%
0.9%
More than one person per room
1.6%
1.9%
3.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.16
2.48
2.50
2.53
Drive alone
59%
67%
63%
69%
Carpool
6%
8%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
3%
Walk or bike
6%
3%
4%
3%
Work from home
26%
21%
20%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
In Olympia, 1.6% of households live with more than one person per room, about the same as in Thurston County.
Households in Olympia are smaller: 2.16 people on average; in Thurston County, 2.48.
Many people here do not commute at all: 26% work from home; in Thurston County, 21%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Olympia?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Olympia, worth $486,200, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 59% of the typical household income in Olympia, which is $81,302 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $172,127 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Thurston County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Olympia. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $17,017 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$4,016
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$477,394
Total interest
$686,858
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $8,211 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,897 a month
Tight
$1,897 to $2,439 a month
Hard
more than $2,439 a month
Your payment · 59%
Compared with the typical household income in Olympia ($81,302 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$3,234
Property tax
$365
Home insurance
$203
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$215
You need at least $17,017 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $4,016; principal and interest $3,234.
The city and its county
Olympia and Thurston County
Olympia is in Thurston County, Washington. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Olympia
Map of Thurston County, Washington, with Olympia marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Olympia
Thurston County
Other cities with a page
Olympia's own numbers
Typical home value
$486,200
Typical monthly rent
$1,599
Typical yearly household income
$81,302
Households that own their home
50%
Effective property tax rate
0.9%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Thurston County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$586,500
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,946
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+48%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.2%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Thurston County.
A typical home in Olympia is worth $486,200: about the same as the county and 14% below Washington. With the typical household income in Olympia ($81,302 a year), a typical home costs 6.0 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Olympia6.0 years
Thurston5.0 years
Washington5.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Thurston County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Thurston County rose 121% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Thurston County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Thurston County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +7.4% +7.4% 2016
2017: +9.7% +9.7% 2017
2018: +10.2% +10.2% 2018
2019: +7.1% +7.1% 2019
2020: +7.2% +7.2% 2020
2021: +16.1% +16.1% 2021
2022: +17.6% +17.6% 2022
2023: +1.5% +1.5% 2023
2024: +4.6% +4.6% 2024
2025: +2.3% +2.3% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Thurston County, Washington and the United States
Period
County
Washington
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+2.3%
+1.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+48%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+121%
+113%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Olympia next to Thurston County, Washington and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Olympia$486,200
Thurston$480,300
Washington$564,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Olympia$1,599
Thurston$1,736
Washington$1,760
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Olympia$81,302
Thurston$96,563
Washington$98,141
United States$80,734
See the full table
Olympia next to Thurston County and Washington
Measure
Olympia
Thurston County
Washington
U.S.
Typical home value
$486,200
$480,300
$564,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,599 ▼8% below the county
$1,736
$1,760
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$81,302 ▼16% below the county
$96,563
$98,141
$80,734
Households that own their home
50% ▼18 points below the county
68%
64%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$4,396 ▲4% above the county
$4,209
$4,556
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.9% ▲0.02 points above the county
0.88%
0.81%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
60% ▲4 points above the county
55%
50%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Thurston County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Olympia
For a typical $486,200 home in Olympia, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Olympia's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$4,016a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$17,017
Cash to close
$31,603
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $215
Conventional, 5% down$3,927a month
Down payment
$24,310
Cash to close
$38,896
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $231
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$3,202a month
Down payment
$97,240
Cash to close
$111,826
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$3,652a month
Down payment
$72,930
Cash to close
$87,516
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Olympia
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$4,016
$17,017
$477,394
7.18%
FHA MIP · $215
$31,603
580
Conventional, 5% down
$3,927
$24,310
$461,890
7.18%
PMI · $231
$38,896
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$3,202
$97,240
$388,960
7.18%
None
$111,826
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$3,652
$72,930
$413,270
8.18%
None
$87,516
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Olympia is $1,599 a month: 8% below the county. In Olympia, 60% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Thurston County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,946 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $37.42 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Thurston County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,586
$30.50
$63,440
1 bedroom
$1,656
$31.85
$66,240
2 bedrooms
$1,946
$37.42
$77,840
3 bedrooms
$2,541
$48.87
$101,640
4 bedrooms
$3,141
$60.40
$125,640
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Olympia
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Olympia has 3 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,780 in 98506 to $1,930 in 98501.
None is above the fair market rent for Thurston County ($1,946).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 3 ZIP codes of Olympia, beside the one for Thurston County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,780 in 98506 to $1,930 in 98501. None is above the fair market rent for Thurston County ($1,946).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,946
Lowest: $1,780 (98506)Highest: $1,930 (98501)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Olympia, fiscal year 2027.
98501
$1,570
$1,640
$1,930
$2,520
$3,120
98502
$1,530
$1,600
$1,880
$2,460
$3,030
98506
$1,450
$1,520
$1,780
$2,360
$2,960
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
98501 $1,930$2,520
98502 $1,880$2,460
98506 $1,780$2,360
3 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Olympia when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 25 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Olympia. These are the largest.
Boardwalk Apartments410 + 510 Capitol Way North, Olympia 98501284 homes, 280 low-income · 1 bd: 186 · 2 bd: 94 · In service since 2000 · For older adults
Copper Trail3500 Block of Capitol Mall Drive SW, Olympia 98502260 homes, 258 low-income · 1 bd: 44 · 2 bd: 154 · 3 bd: 62 · In service since 2015 · For people with disabilities
Courtside Apartments515 Courtside St SW, Olympia 98502211 homes, 209 low-income · Studio: 20 · 1 bd: 62 · 2 bd: 84 · 3 bd: 45 · In service since 1997
Evergreen Villages505 Division St NW, Olympia 98502180 low-income homes · 1 bd: 72 · 2 bd: 54 · 3 bd: 36 · 4 bd: 18 · In service since 2018 · For families(360) 943-5505
Crowne Pointe Apartments2800 Limited Ln NW, Olympia 98502160 homes, 158 low-income · 1 bd: 60 · 2 bd: 86 · 3 bd: 14 · In service since 2007
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Thurston County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Olympia or Thurston County. The ones below are statewide in Washington: they work in Olympia the same as in the rest of the state.
Washington state commission 0% second mortgage for 3%, 4% or 5% of the first mortgage, with no monthly payments; you do not need to be a first-time buyer.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Washington state commission loan with no monthly payments of up to 20% of the price (maximum $150,000) plus closing costs, for first-time buyers whose family lived in Washington before 1968 and belonged to a group affected by housing discrimination, including Hispanic people.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Washington state commission loan of up to $15,000 at 1% simple interest, with no monthly payments, for the down payment and closing costs of first-time buyers with the House Key Opportunity mortgage.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
No legal help resource on our list is for Olympia or Thurston County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Olympia and all of Thurston County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Olympia?
The typical home value in Olympia is $486,200, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Thurston County it is $480,300.
How much does it cost to rent in Olympia?
Typical rent in Olympia is $1,599 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Thurston County is $1,946.
What is the FHA loan limit in Olympia?
Olympia uses the FHA limit for all of Thurston County (2026): $586,500 for a one-unit home and $1,127,900 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Olympia?
The typical homeowner in Olympia pays $4,396 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.9% of the home’s value; in Thurston County, the rate is 0.88%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Olympia?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Thurston County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
