Cost of Living in Yelm, WA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,125 (excluding rent), and $2,615 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,935 (excluding rent), and $5,043 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.22 $22.22

$7.41 $7.41

$25.67 $25.67

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$71.4 $71.4

$30.6 $30.6

$91.8 $91.8

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.15 $12.15

$10.13 $10.13

$15.19 $15.19

Cappuccino

$6.01 $6.01

$3.42 $3.42

$7.81 $7.81

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.43 $3.43

$2.28 $2.28

$4.06 $4.06

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.97 $1.97

$3.95 $3.95

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.97 $6.97

$3.48 $3.48

$9.95 $9.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.85 $5.85

$4.87 $4.87

$8.77 $8.77

Milk (1 liter)

$1.07 $1.07

$0.82 $0.82

$1.29 $1.29

White Bread (500g)

$3.79 $3.79

$1.65 $1.65

$5 $5

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.89 $3.89

$1.77 $1.77

$4.44 $4.44

Eggs

$4.2 $4.2

$1.6 $1.6

$8.89 $8.89

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.81 $14.81

$5.47 $5.47

$19.75 $19.75

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.17 $13.17

$4.37 $4.37

$17.57 $17.57

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.27 $15.27

$10.9 $10.9

$17.47 $17.47

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$2.57 $2.57

$6.63 $6.63

Banana (1kg)

$1.9 $1.9

$1.26 $1.26

$2.97 $2.97

Oranges (1kg)

$4.21 $4.21

$2.85 $2.85

$5.46 $5.46

Tomato (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$2.24 $2.24

$4.52 $4.52

Potato (1kg)

$1.99 $1.99

$3.33 $3.33

Onion (1kg)

$3.25 $3.25

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.75 $1.75

$2.94 $2.94

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.53 $1.53

$4.1 $4.1

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.89 $6.89

$13 $13

Wine (Bottle)

$13.78 $13.78

$19.69 $19.69

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.77 $1.77

$2.93 $2.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.63 $4.63

$1.99 $1.99

$6.96 $6.96

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.22 $1.22

$1.95 $1.95

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.11 $5.11

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.78 $1.78

$2.03 $2.03

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$51.8 $51.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.11 $1.11

$1.01 $1.01

$1.28 $1.28

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.4K $30.4K

$24K $24K

$37.2K $37.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26K $26K

$24.2K $24.2K

$30.3K $30.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$123 $123

$69.6 $69.6

$315 $315

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53 $53

$35.44 $35.44

$152 $152

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.9 $70.9

$60.7 $60.7

$122 $122

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.98 $42.98

$17.49 $17.49

$49.98 $49.98

Cinema Ticket

$10.99 $10.99

$9.99 $9.99

$19.98 $19.98

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,443 $1,443

$1,393 $1,393

$2,487 $2,487

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.3K $30.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.6 $50.6

$21.71 $21.71

$78.9 $78.9

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.79 $36.79

$29.43 $29.43

$73.6 $73.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.4 $91.4

$40.64 $40.64

$127 $127

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$97.7 $97.7

$60.1 $60.1

$150 $150

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,604 $1,604

$1,201 $1,201

$1,859 $1,859

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,346 $1,346

$995 $995

$1,492 $1,492

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,619 $2,619

$1,991 $1,991

$2,987 $2,987

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,229 $2,229

$1,705 $1,705

$2,507 $2,507

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,402 $2,402

$1,762 $1,762

$2,402 $2,402

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,691 $2,691

$2,198 $2,198

$2,691 $2,691

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$9,141 $9,141

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.61

6.19

7.25

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 2, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Yelm, WA - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with bigger metro areas, Yelm generally offers a friendlier price-to-value balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Housing clusters near the town center tend to be more affordable than in Olympia or Seattle, and everyday costs like groceries and dining out stay reasonable if you favor local markets and smaller eateries. The Cost of Living in Yelm, WA, United States has a slower rhythm that can help you save on transit and utilities, especially with options to walk, bike, or carpool. Seasonal crowds peak for outdoor recreation rather than luxury shopping, keeping short stays comfortable. Tip: Start with a neighborhood walk to scope affordable options.

During a typical day, you’ll balance a modest drive or bike to errands with plenty of chances to walk in the town core. For housing, look beyond single-family homes to duplexes and small apartments on the edge of town; leases often feel more flexible than big cities. Food choices include farmers markets, affordable grocery chains, and casual eateries with value meals. Transport is workable with a car, bike lanes, and regional buses; short trips to Olympia are common for coworking or specialty needs. Yelm, WA, United States living cost is tempered by the close-knit community and seasonal produce. Tip: build a shortlist of neighborhoods around the highways for easier commutes.

Think of Yelm as a place to blend small-town charm with outdoor access. A practical budgeting framework is to allocate housing, groceries, transport, and leisure with a simple 50/30/20 approach, adapting slightly for seasons – summer hikes may reduce indoor costs but raise water or shaded cooling needs. For neighborhood fit, downtown offers walkable amenities and events; edge areas suit quiet mornings and yard space; proximity to Olympia or the Nisqually River corridor matters if you rely on occasional commutes. Practical tips include shopping at farmers markets, sharing coworking spaces, and timing bigger purchases to off-peak windows. Tip: map out a 3-month trial plan to test costs and routines.