The Olympia metro is home to 296,640 people (up 8.0% over five years), with a median household income of $93,985. Typical rent of $2,043/month works out to 26.1% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Olympia's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 22.1% |
| Public administration | 16.4% |
| Retail trade | 11.8% |
| Professional & management | 9.3% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 8.5% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 26.1% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Olympia market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $2,043/month suggests a household income around $82,000/year. The metro's median household income is $93,985.
By workforce share: Education & health care (22.1%), Public administration (16.4%), Retail trade (11.8%) (Census ACS 5-year).