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City Report · MO

Washington

Pop. 15,130·59th most expensive in Missouri·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,198/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+2.3%
vs US Median
-$767
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Washington · $1,198
More affordable than 92% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
18% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,198/mo, rent takes about 18% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$48,000/yr
Local median income
$79,173/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Washington's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$840
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,090
3 BR
$1,410
4 BR+
$1,640
Research median
$1,090/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$14,376/yr
At $1,198/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +2.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Washington, MO is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 32.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
15,130
Median income
$79,173
Median age
43.1
Renters
26%
Age distribution
20.9%
19.5%
26.3%
13.3%
20.1%
Under 1820.9%
18–3419.5%
35–5426.3%
55–6413.3%
65+20.1%
Gender
47.7%
52.3%
Male47.7%
Female52.3%
Race & ethnicity
91.9%
White91.9%
Hispanic2.1%
Other5.6%
Education (25+)
24.6%
38%
32.3%
No HS diploma5.1%
HS diploma24.6%
Some college38%
Bachelor's+32.3%
Housing tenure
74%
26%
Owner74%
Renter26%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Washington, MO has changed in 5 years

Income
$71,159 → $79,173
up 11.3%
Population
14,607 → 15,130
up 3.6%
Renter share
26.4% → 26%
-0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
27.9% → 32.3%
+4.4 pts
Median age
39.6 → 43.1
+3.5 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $79,173 today, compared with $71,159 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 14,607 to 15,130 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.6% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 27.9% to 32.3%.

Community

Discussions about Washington

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

Can you afford rent in Washington on your salary?

At $1,198/mo, how Washington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Washington rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Washington

About renting in Washington, MO

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Washington is $1,198/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $840/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,090/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,410/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($79,173/yr), Washington ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Washington an affordable city for renters?

Washington is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,198/mo, rent takes approximately 18% of the local median household income ($79,173/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Washington falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Washington?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $48,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,198/mo in Washington. The local median household income is $79,173/yr, meaning the typical Washington household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Washington?

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

How does Washington rent compare to other cities in Missouri?

Washington is one of the more affordable cities in Missouri for rent, ranking #59 out of 74 tracked cities at $1,198/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Washington?

Warrenton is nearby and more affordable at $1,185/mo, which is $13 less than Washington.

What percentage of Washington residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 26% of Washington households are renters, while 74% are owner-occupied. Washington leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Washington rent compare to the national average?

Washington's median rent of $1,198/mo is $767 (39%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Missouri, it ranks #59 out of 74 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
18%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,198/mo, rent takes ~18% of Washington's median household income ($79,173/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Washington 18%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–4.7%
Run the Washington affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Washington
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Washington, MO

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