Rents are 8% below what Milwaukie's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,809 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
February. Asking rents in Milwaukie usually run 1.6% below trend in February and 1.3% above it in September, about $52 a month apart at today's median. Based on 9 years of data.
Rent in Milwaukie is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in November 2016.
Rent in Milwaukie changed +2.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 54 Oregon cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.9%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent in Milwaukie rose 32.7% while median household income rose 40.4% ($61,902 to $86,892). Income kept ahead of rent.
Rent in Milwaukie is 30.8% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($86,892) is $2,172 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,880); a 3-bedroom is $2,580.
Raleigh Hills, 7 miles away, rents for 16% less ($1,524/mo), about $3,400 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Milwaukie. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Milwaukie, OR is majority owner-occupied, 41.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Milwaukie, OR has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Milwaukie, OR stood at $1,442 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,809, reflecting a 25.5% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $73,351 to $86,892 across the same window, up 18.5% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.3% since 2021, moving from about 21,108 residents to roughly 21,392. Renters now make up 39.2% of households, compared with 41% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 41.5% of adults here, versus 38.7% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Milwaukie, OR look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about Milwaukie
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Milwaukie on your salary?
At $1,809/mo, how Milwaukie rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Milwaukie rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Milwaukie. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Milwaukie
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Milwaukie is $1,809/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,530/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,880/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,650/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,580/mo.
At 25% of local median household income ($86,892/yr), Milwaukie ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Milwaukie?
Is rent going up or down in Milwaukie?
When is the cheapest time to rent in Milwaukie?
Has rent outpaced income in Milwaukie?
How does Milwaukie rent compare to other cities in Oregon?
At $1,809/mo, rent takes ~25% of Milwaukie's median household income ($86,892/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Milwaukie.
No discussions yet.