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City Report · WA

Centralia

Pop. 18,830·109th most expensive in Washington·Centralia rents have dropped 10.9%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,318/mo
Year-over-Year
-10.9%
Month-over-Month
+1.4%
vs US Median
-$644
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Centralia · $1,318
More affordable than 87% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,318/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$53,000/yr
Local median income
$56,219/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Centralia's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,210
1 BR
$1,400
2 BR
$1,630
3 BR
$2,280
4 BR+
$2,760
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,630/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,318 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
$15,816/yr
At $1,318/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 10.9% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-10.9% YoY, +1.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Centralia, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 19.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,830
Median income
$56,219
Median age
39
Renters
40%
Age distribution
18.9%
26.4%
21.1%
12.9%
20.7%
Under 1818.9%
18–3426.4%
35–5421.1%
55–6412.9%
65+20.7%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
77.3%
19.7%
White77.3%
Black1.2%
Hispanic19.7%
Asian1.6%
Education (25+)
31.6%
38.5%
19.4%
No HS diploma10.5%
HS diploma31.6%
Some college38.5%
Bachelor's+19.4%
Housing tenure
60%
40%
Owner60%
Renter40%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Centralia, WA has changed in 5 years

Income
$43,860 → $56,219
up 28.2%
Population
17,988 → 18,830
up 4.7%
Renter share
45.8% → 40%
-5.8 pts
Bachelor's+
15.8% → 19.4%
+3.6 pts
Median age
37.3 → 39
+1.7 yrs

Median household income rose from $43,860 to $56,219 between 2021 and 2024, a 28.2% shift. The population has grown by 4.7% since 2021, moving from about 17,988 residents to roughly 18,830. Renters now make up 40% of households, compared with 45.8% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 19.4% of adults here, versus 15.8% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Centralia

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

Can you afford rent in Centralia on your salary?

At $1,318/mo, how Centralia rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Centralia rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Centralia

About renting in Centralia, WA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Centralia is $1,318/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,210/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,630/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,400/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,280/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($56,219/yr), Centralia ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 10.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Centralia an affordable city for renters?

Centralia is considered affordable for renters. At $1,318/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($56,219/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Centralia falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Centralia?

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 $1,318/mo in Centralia. The local median household income is $56,219/yr, meaning the typical Centralia household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Centralia?

Rent in Centralia has decreased 10.9% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Centralia rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Centralia is one of the more affordable cities in Washington for rent, ranking #109 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,318/mo.

What percentage of Centralia residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40% of Centralia households are renters, while 60% are owner-occupied. Centralia leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Centralia rent compare to the national average?

Centralia's median rent of $1,318/mo is $644 (33%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #109 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,318/mo, rent takes ~28% of Centralia's median household income ($56,219/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Centralia 28%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Centralia affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Centralia, WA

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