Attached Types of Homes in Olympia, WA: Condos, Townhouses, and Market Data
The median sale price for homes in Olympia, WA sits at roughly $554,698 as of mid-2026, with properties spending about 12 days on the market. If you're buying a home in Olympia, WA and expecting to choose between a handful of single-family houses, you'll want to reset that assumption quickly - attached housing is a real and active segment of this market.
With total active inventory hovering around 129 homes, condominiums and townhomes open up locations that detached houses simply don't reach, particularly near the downtown core and waterfront areas. Worth understanding before you start filtering listings.
Finding Condos for Sale in Olympia, WA
Listing counts shift depending on which platform you're using and how it classifies property types. Recent data from Homes.com showed 11 condos available in the Downtown Olympia neighborhood, while platforms tracking by-owner sales count around 49 units across the broader area. Neither number is wrong - they're just measuring different things.
Pay close attention to how a site categorizes its results. Some lump townhouses and duplexes into the condominium filter, which inflates the total count and can send you down a rabbit hole of properties that aren't what you're actually looking for.
Narrowing Your Property Search
Setting specific parameters - price, square footage, bedroom count - helps filter out commercial properties or vacant land that sometimes miscategorize as attached housing in local feeds. It's a small step that saves a lot of wasted clicks.
Save your search criteria and turn on alerts. Given how thin inventory is in this city, getting notified the day a unit hits the market matters. A day's head start is often the difference between scheduling a showing and reading a "sale pending" notice.
Pricing and Market Trends for Olympia Condos
Condominium pricing varies widely depending on size, location, and which data source you're looking at - and the spread here is worth paying attention to. BuyOwner.com reports an average asking price of around $654,083 for active listings, which works out to roughly $252 per square foot. Closed transaction data tells a different story: the average sales price for condos sits closer to $479,427, while Redfin puts the median condo price in Downtown Olympia specifically at approximately $599,900.
That gap between asking and sales prices isn't a typo. It reflects the usual distance between what sellers hope for and what buyers actually pay.
Statewide Market Conditions
The broader Washington housing market is showing signs of stabilizing as of mid-2026. The statewide median home price ranges from $587,000 to $625,000 - a slight 1% to 4% dip from the previous year - and active listings across the state have increased by up to 28% in some reports, giving buyers a bit more room to negotiate.
State forecasts project modest 2% to 4% price growth through the rest of 2026. At the local level, Zillow data indicates average home values in Olympia declined by about 1.2% over the past year. BestPlaces, on the other hand, reports a one-year home price appreciation rate of nearly 9% for the city. Two credible sources pointing in opposite directions is exactly why you should be looking at neighborhood-level comparables rather than blended city-wide figures.
Homeowner Association Fees and Coverage
Monthly dues deserve serious attention when you're evaluating attached properties in Thurston County. The median monthly homeowner association fee in the area is $448, with an average closer to $481 per month - and fees typically range between $280 and $700 depending on the specific building and its amenities. For context, the statewide Washington median is $82 per month. That's not a typo either.
Understanding Monthly Dues
Association fees generally cover exterior building maintenance, landscaping, and master insurance policies. Many complexes also roll water, sewer, and garbage collection into that monthly cost, which softens the sting somewhat when you're doing a true apples-to-apples comparison with a detached home's utility bills.
Before you close on a unit, read the association's reserve study. It tells you whether the community has actually saved enough money for major upcoming repairs - roof replacements, parking lot resurfacing, that kind of thing. A building with a healthy reserve is a very different proposition from one that's been deferring maintenance and hoping for the best.
Condominium Communities by Neighborhood
Olympia has 217 registered homeowner and condo communities across Thurston County and its immediate surroundings. Of those, 48 are classified specifically as condominiums.
Where a building sits determines both the lifestyle and the commute. Downtown units put you close to state government offices. West Olympia locations give you easier access to local retail centers. Neither is inherently better - it depends entirely on how you actually live.
Named Buildings and Developments
The Union Heights Condominium Association is one established community in the 98501 ZIP code, offering structured community management and shared exterior spaces.
On the newer end, the Thirteen + Cherry Townhomes development brings urban luxury units to the area just steps from the state capital campus, adding to what's available in the downtown core.
Waterfront and High-End Attached Homes
The city's geography creates real opportunities for properties with water views. Units along Budd Inlet command a premium for their access to the Puget Sound and nearby marinas, and inventory there stays limited. Capitol Lake anchors several higher-end residential areas as well, blending natural scenery with immediate access to the civic core.
High-End and New Construction Options
The premium segment includes both established waterfront towers and new construction projects. Expect prices to exceed the city's $554,698 median by a wide margin in this tier.
New construction units often feature modern energy efficiencies and updated floor plans - but they frequently carry higher initial association dues. Building reserves from scratch costs money, and that cost gets passed through to the first wave of owners.
Townhomes, Duplexes, and Multi-Family Options
Condominiums aren't your only attached option. Townhomes split the difference between a traditional condo and a detached single-family house, often including a small private yard or an attached garage - details that matter to a lot of buyers who want some separation from their neighbors without taking on a full lawn.
Duplexes and smaller multi-family buildings appeal to buyers who want to offset their mortgage. Buy a duplex, live in one half, rent out the other.
Townhouse and Multi-Family Alternatives
Townhouses generally involve owning the land directly beneath the unit, unlike condos where the land is held in common. That distinction can translate into slightly lower monthly association fees, though it varies by community.
Multi-family properties stay in steady demand from investors, driven by rental demand from state government workers and local college students. If you're considering this route, get your financing pre-approval sorted early - multi-family loans typically require larger down payments, and showing up to a competitive offer situation without one puts you at a real disadvantage.
Deciding if an Attached Home Fits Your Budget
BestPlaces assigns Olympia a cost of living index of 112.1, placing it roughly 12% above the national average. Other sources put the city's living costs between 13% and 21% higher than the U.S. baseline, with housing expenses driving most of that difference - sitting about 17% above the national average.
Evaluating the Financial Impact
Attached homes make sense for buyers who want to hand off exterior maintenance. Single-level condo units also eliminate stairs entirely, which works well if accessibility is a priority.
On the longer-term equity side, NeighborhoodScout data shows the city's annual appreciation rate has historically outperformed 80% of other Washington municipalities. That's worth factoring in when you're running rent-versus-buy numbers - appreciation doesn't show up on a monthly budget sheet, but it shows up in net worth over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are most of the new construction homes being built in Olympia right now?
New construction projects, including the Thirteen + Cherry Townhomes, are adding units to the Downtown Olympia area near the state capital. Other developments are scattered throughout Thurston County as builders look for available land.
How much of a price premium should I expect for a waterfront property on Budd Inlet or Black Lake?
Waterfront properties command a clear premium over the city's overall median sale price of $554,698. Exact premiums vary, but units along Budd Inlet consistently price higher due to limited inventory and high demand.
Are there strict renovation restrictions if I buy a historic home in Olympia's South Capitol neighborhood?
Yes, historic neighborhoods usually enforce specific design guidelines to maintain the area's architectural character. You should consult the local planning department and any neighborhood association before planning exterior modifications.
What are the local zoning rules for adding an ADU or mother-in-law suite to a single-family home in Olympia?
The city permits accessory dwelling units on many residential lots to help increase housing density. Homeowners must adhere to specific size limits, setback rules, and permitting requirements outlined by the local zoning code.
Is it hard to find condos or townhomes for sale near downtown Olympia compared to single-family houses?
Attached homes make up a smaller portion of the market, with recent data showing 11 condos available in the Downtown Olympia neighborhood. Single-family houses are more common overall, but targeted searches can surface downtown townhomes and condos.
How far outside Olympia city limits do I need to look to find residential properties with large acreage?
Buyers seeking significant acreage generally need to look toward the edges of Thurston County or into neighboring counties. The closer you get to the city center and Capitol Lake, the smaller the lot sizes become.
