At $1,433/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
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 $1,433 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
Rent in Centralia changed +7.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 97 Washington cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($56,219) is $1,405 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,400); a 2-bedroom is $1,630.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Centralia. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Centralia, WA has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Centralia on your salary?
At $1,433/mo, how Centralia rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Centralia rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Centralia. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Centralia
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Centralia is $1,433/mo as of October 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 31% of local median household income ($56,219/yr), Centralia ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Centralia?
Is rent going up or down in Centralia?
How does Centralia rent compare to other cities in Washington?
At $1,433/mo, rent takes ~31% of Centralia's median household income ($56,219/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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