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Retirement community in Olympia, Washington

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Olympia, Washington Retirement Guide

61

Retirement Score

Olympia, Washington at a Glance

Median Home Price
$409,700
State Income Tax
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.
Avg January Low
35.5°F
Cost of Living Index
110 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
61 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Olympia, Washington, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
110 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$73,851High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Olympia's cost of living is 10% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$409,700High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,437High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
48.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Olympia using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$888

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$997

Median home price used: $409,700

Median rent reference: $1,437 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Olympia, Washington after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
42.7 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
42.7 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
57.1 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Olympia scores 42.7 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Olympia

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Olympia

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
100 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Washington has a tax environment that is highly favorable for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
80.3°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Avg January Low
35.5°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Annual Precipitation
47.3"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Sunny Days / Year
240 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026

With 240 sunny days a year and an average January low of 35.5°F, Olympia offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
91.7 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
41.8 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
10.6 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
55,151High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
38.7High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
19.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
8.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
47.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
77.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
2.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
11.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
7.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Olympia

What is the cost of living in Olympia, Washington for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 110, roughly 10% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $409,700.

Does Washington tax Social Security or retirement income?

For Washington residents: No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.

What is the climate like in Olympia, Washington?

Olympia, Washington has January average low around 36°F, July average high around 80°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Olympia, Washington?

Olympia scores 43/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a adequate score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

KILEY JUERGENS WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC

Financial Advisor

BYRNE & COMPANY WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC

Financial Advisor

STAPP WEALTH MANAGEMENT, PLLC

Financial Advisor

+56 more financial advisors available

Interested in Olympia? Talk to a Local Expert.

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