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City Report · ID

Lewiston

Pop. 34,651·18th most expensive in Idaho·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,321/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-6.9%
vs US Median
-$641
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lewiston · $1,321
More affordable than 87% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,321/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$53,000/yr
Local median income
$72,197/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Lewiston's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$890
1 BR
$890
2 BR
$1,170
3 BR
$1,640
4 BR+
$1,960
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,170/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,321 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,852/yr
At $1,321/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -6.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lewiston, ID is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 27.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
34,651
Median income
$72,197
Median age
39.8
Renters
32.5%
Age distribution
21.2%
22%
23.7%
12.4%
20.6%
Under 1821.2%
18–3422%
35–5423.7%
55–6412.4%
65+20.6%
Gender
48.9%
51.1%
Male48.9%
Female51.1%
Race & ethnicity
90.5%
White90.5%
Hispanic4.2%
Asian1%
Other4.1%
Education (25+)
30.5%
35.8%
27.5%
No HS diploma6.2%
HS diploma30.5%
Some college35.8%
Bachelor's+27.5%
Housing tenure
67.5%
32.5%
Owner67.5%
Renter32.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Lewiston, ID has changed in 5 years

Income
$60,581 → $72,197
up 19.2%
Population
33,964 → 34,651
up 2.0%
Renter share
28.4% → 32.5%
+4.1 pts
Bachelor's+
25.8% → 27.5%
+1.7 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in Lewiston, ID now reports about $72,197, up from $60,581 in 2021. The population has grown by 2.0% since 2021, moving from about 33,964 residents to roughly 34,651. Renters now make up 32.5% of households, compared with 28.4% five years ago.

Community

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View Lewiston rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lewiston on your salary?

At $1,321/mo, how Lewiston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lewiston rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Lewiston. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lewiston

About renting in Lewiston, ID

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Lewiston is $1,321/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $890/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,170/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $890/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,640/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($72,197/yr), Lewiston ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lewiston an affordable city for renters?

Lewiston is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,321/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($72,197/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lewiston falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lewiston?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,321/mo in Lewiston. The local median household income is $72,197/yr, meaning the typical Lewiston household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lewiston?

Rent in Lewiston has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Lewiston rent compare to other cities in Idaho?

Lewiston is one of the more affordable cities in Idaho for rent, ranking #18 out of 24 tracked cities at $1,321/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lewiston?

Moscow is nearby and more affordable at $1,161/mo, which is $160 less than Lewiston.

What percentage of Lewiston residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.5% of Lewiston households are renters, while 67.5% are owner-occupied. Lewiston leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lewiston rent compare to the national average?

Lewiston's median rent of $1,321/mo is $641 (33%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Idaho, it ranks #18 out of 24 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,321/mo, rent takes ~22% of Lewiston's median household income ($72,197/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lewiston 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5.8%
Run the Lewiston affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lewiston, ID

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