Yelm 70 Good
Yelm Livability #244 ranked city in Washington#7,737 ranked city in the USARanks better than 73% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Pros and Cons of Living in Yelm

PROS
  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

What's it like Living in Yelm?

Located in the state of Washington, Yelm is a small city with a population of 9,459 residents. At 82%, the majority of the Yelm population is White; this is followed by 4% Native Hawaiian and 1% Black. Yelm could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 30 years old is below the nation’s average. An important consideration when living in Yelm is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 38 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Yelm, Washington. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like crime, cost of living, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Yelm and in the areas around Yelm is a much easier task.

Yelm has a livability score of 70/100 and is ranked #237 in Washington and #7,330 in the USA. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Yelm has higher than average scores for the following: employment (A+) and housing (A+). Yelm does not score well for the following: amenities (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Yelm market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Yelm. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Yelm are affordable. The median home price for Yelm homes is $489,949, which is 0.4% lower than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Yelm, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 20.4% lower than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Yelm

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Compare Yelm, WA Livability

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      Yelm transportation information

      Statistic Yelm Washington National
      Average one way commute38min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.7%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.1%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.1%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.1%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home4.4%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Yelm, WA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.