City Report · OR

Lincoln City

Pop. 9,968·12th most expensive in Oregon·Lincoln City rents have dropped 6.8%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,981/mo
Year-over-Year
-6.8%
Month-over-Month
+1.4%
vs US Median
+$16
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Lincoln City rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lincoln City · $1,981
More expensive than 58% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
42% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,981/mo, rent takes about 42% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$79,000/yr
Local median income
$56,635/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Lincoln City's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,030
1 BR
$1,060
2 BR
$1,390
3 BR
$1,940
4 BR+
$2,330
Research median
$1,390/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$23,772/yr
At $1,981/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 6.8% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-6.8% YoY, +1.4% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Lincoln City, OR is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 26.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
9,968
Median income
$56,635
Median age
49.2
Renters
40.7%
Age distribution
14.8%
18.5%
23.3%
15%
28.3%
Under 1814.8%
18–3418.5%
35–5423.3%
55–6415%
65+28.3%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
79.9%
14.1%
White79.9%
Hispanic14.1%
Asian1.5%
Other4.4%
Education (25+)
27.2%
37%
26.1%
No HS diploma9.6%
HS diploma27.2%
Some college37%
Bachelor's+26.1%
Housing tenure
59.3%
40.7%
Owner59.3%
Renter40.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lincoln City, OR has changed in 5 years

Income
$49,297 → $56,635
up 14.9%
Population
9,655 → 9,968
up 3.2%
Renter share
42.8% → 40.7%
-2.1 pts
Bachelor's+
25.5% → 26.1%
+0.6 pts
Median age
51.4 → 49.2
-2.2 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Lincoln City, OR now reports about $56,635, up from $49,297 in 2021. Census counts show Lincoln City, OR adding about 313 residents over the five-year window, up 3.2% on net. The renter share has eased from 42.8% to 40.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Lincoln City

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Lincoln City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lincoln City on your salary?

At $1,981/mo, how Lincoln City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lincoln City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lincoln City

About renting in Lincoln City, OR

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lincoln City is $1,981/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,030/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,390/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,060/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,940/mo.

At 42% of local median household income ($56,635/yr), Lincoln City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 6.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lincoln City an affordable city for renters?

Lincoln City is considered stretched for renters. At $1,981/mo, rent takes approximately 42% of the local median household income ($56,635/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lincoln City significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Lincoln City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $79,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,981/mo in Lincoln City. The local median household income is $56,635/yr, meaning the typical Lincoln City household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lincoln City?

Rent in Lincoln City has decreased 6.8% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Lincoln City rent compare to other cities in Oregon?

Lincoln City is one of the pricier cities in Oregon for rent, ranking #12 out of 65 tracked cities at $1,981/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lincoln City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lincoln City ($1,981/mo): Monmouth ($1,502/mo), Dallas ($1,700/mo), McMinnville ($1,757/mo).

What percentage of Lincoln City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.7% of Lincoln City households are renters, while 59.3% are owner-occupied. Lincoln City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lincoln City rent compare to the national average?

Lincoln City's median rent of $1,981/mo is $16 (1%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Oregon, it ranks #12 out of 65 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
42%
STRETCHED

At $1,981/mo, rent takes ~42% of Lincoln City's median household income ($56,635/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lincoln City 42%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.75–9.9%
Run the Lincoln City affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Lincoln City
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lincoln City, OR

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Lincoln City.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.