City Report · WA

Bonney Lake

Pop. 22,090·14th most expensive in Washington·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,765/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.0%
Month-over-Month
+2.2%
vs US Median
+$803
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bonney Lake · $2,765
More expensive than 86% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
72/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% below what Bonney Lake's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,765/mo
Expected by trend
$3,115/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Bonney Lake's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,850
1 BR
$2,090
2 BR
$2,570
3 BR
$3,600
4 BR+
$4,110
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,570/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,765 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
$33,180/yr
At $2,765/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 4.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.0% YoY, +2.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bonney Lake, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 30.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
22,090
Median income
$136,845
Median age
36.9
Renters
21.2%
Age distribution
28.6%
18.7%
30.8%
Under 1828.6%
18–3418.7%
35–5430.8%
55–6410.9%
65+11%
Gender
51.4%
48.6%
Male51.4%
Female48.6%
Race & ethnicity
77.8%
White77.8%
Black2.2%
Hispanic9%
Asian4.1%
Other7%
Education (25+)
25.3%
39.6%
30.2%
No HS diploma4.9%
HS diploma25.3%
Some college39.6%
Bachelor's+30.2%
Housing tenure
78.8%
21.2%
Owner78.8%
Renter21.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Bonney Lake, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,212 → $2,765
up 25.0%
Income
$108,705 → $136,845
up 25.9%
Population
22,229 → 22,090
down 0.6%
Renter share
19.1% → 21.2%
+2.1 pts
Bachelor's+
27.7% → 30.2%
+2.5 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in Bonney Lake, WA has increased by $553 per month, settling near $2,765 after starting the period at $2,212. Median household income grew from $108,705 to $136,845 between 2021 and 2024, a 25.9% shift. About 21.2% of households rent today, against 19.1% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 27.7% to 30.2%. Taken together, the five-year picture in Bonney Lake, WA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Bonney Lake rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bonney Lake on your salary?

At $2,765/mo, how Bonney Lake rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bonney Lake rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bonney Lake

About renting in Bonney Lake, WA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Bonney Lake is $2,765/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,850/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,570/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,090/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,600/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($136,845/yr), Bonney Lake ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bonney Lake an affordable city for renters?

Bonney Lake is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,765/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($136,845/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bonney Lake falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bonney Lake?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $111,000/year (~$53/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,765/mo in Bonney Lake. The local median household income is $136,845/yr, meaning the typical Bonney Lake household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bonney Lake?

Rent in Bonney Lake has increased 4.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Bonney Lake rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Bonney Lake is one of the pricier cities in Washington for rent, ranking #14 out of 110 tracked cities at $2,765/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bonney Lake?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bonney Lake ($2,765/mo): Pacific ($1,879/mo), Auburn ($1,954/mo), Edgewood ($2,151/mo).

What percentage of Bonney Lake residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 21.2% of Bonney Lake households are renters, while 78.8% are owner-occupied. Bonney Lake leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bonney Lake rent compare to the national average?

Bonney Lake's median rent of $2,765/mo is $803 (41%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #14 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,765/mo, rent takes ~24% of Bonney Lake's median household income ($136,845/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bonney Lake 24%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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