🏡 More Out-of-Towners Are Searching for Homes in Olympia

If you live in Olympia, it might feel like more and more people are moving here — and the latest data backs that up.

According to new housing data from Realtor.com, Olympia has become a top relocation target for buyers across the West Coast, with a large share of interest coming from Seattle and California.

📊 Who’s Looking to Move to Olympia?

The report shows that Seattle tops the list, accounting for more than 35% of all online home searches directed toward Olympia listings.

But it’s not just Seattleites eyeing the South Sound — interest is also coming from across the country:

• 🏙️ Los Angeles – 8.5% of inbound home searches

• 💻 San Jose – 3%

• 🌲 Portland – 2.8%

• ☀️ Phoenix, Dallas, and Chicago – noticeable out-of-state growth

Closer to home, smaller Washington cities like Aberdeen and Centralia also made the list, suggesting that both local and national buyers are setting their sights on the area.

💬 Why Olympia?

The trend isn’t surprising to locals who’ve watched housing prices in Seattle and the Eastside soar over the past few years. Olympia offers something rare in today’s market — relative affordability, outdoor access, and small-city character within commuting distance of major employers in Puget Sound.

Even as the housing market slows statewide, demand in Olympia remains steady, largely because inventory still sits well below pre-pandemic levels.

Many of these newcomers are drawn to Olympia’s walkable downtown, thriving arts scene, and proximity to nature, making it an attractive option for both remote workers and families looking to escape city congestion.

🏠 What It Means for Locals

For residents, the continued influx means that competition for homes isn’t going away — especially in desirable neighborhoods like West Olympia and Tumwater Hill.

But it also signals ongoing confidence in the region’s growth, bolstering local businesses, schools, and property values in the long term.

📊 Inbound Search Highlights (Realtor.com)

• Seattle – 35%

• Los Angeles – 8.5%

• San Jose – 3%

• Portland – 2.8%

• Phoenix, Dallas, Chicago – Growing Interest

📨 I’m Aaron Thomas, a local realtor sharing insights on housing trends, development, and community updates across the South Sound.
Every Friday, we publish the South Sound Report, your inside look at what’s shaping life between Tacoma and Olympia.

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