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City Report · WA

Chehalis

Pop. 7,587·104th most expensive in Washington·Rental market data updated monthly for Chehalis, WA
Median rent (all units)
$1,475/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+5.0%
vs US Median
-$490
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Chehalis · $1,475
More affordable than 77% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,475/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$59,000/yr
Local median income
$73,702/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Chehalis's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$870
1 BR
$980
2 BR
$1,260
3 BR
$1,680
4 BR+
$1,800
Research median
$1,260/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$17,700/yr
At $1,475/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +5.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Chehalis, WA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, 27.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,587
Median income
$73,702
Median age
34.7
Renters
47.2%
Age distribution
29.3%
21%
24.7%
13.4%
Under 1829.3%
18–3421%
35–5424.7%
55–6411.6%
65+13.4%
Gender
51.4%
48.6%
Male51.4%
Female48.6%
Race & ethnicity
78%
14.6%
White78%
Black1.2%
Hispanic14.6%
Asian0.5%
Other5.7%
Education (25+)
30.1%
33.6%
27.3%
No HS diploma9%
HS diploma30.1%
Some college33.6%
Bachelor's+27.3%
Housing tenure
52.8%
47.2%
Owner52.8%
Renter47.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Chehalis, WA has changed in 5 years

Income
$52,717 → $73,702
up 39.8%
Population
7,427 → 7,587
up 2.2%
Renter share
50.9% → 47.2%
-3.7 pts
Bachelor's+
20.7% → 27.3%
+6.6 pts
Median age
34 → 34.7
+0.7 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $52,717 in 2021 to $73,702 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 7,427 to 7,587 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.2% change. About 47.2% of households rent today, against 50.9% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 20.7% to 27.3%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Chehalis on your salary?

At $1,475/mo, how Chehalis rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Chehalis rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Chehalis

About renting in Chehalis, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Chehalis is $1,475/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $870/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,260/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $980/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,680/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($73,702/yr), Chehalis ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Chehalis an affordable city for renters?

Chehalis is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,475/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($73,702/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Chehalis falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Chehalis?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $59,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,475/mo in Chehalis. The local median household income is $73,702/yr, meaning the typical Chehalis household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Chehalis?

Rent in Chehalis has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Chehalis rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Chehalis is one of the more affordable cities in Washington for rent, ranking #104 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,475/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Chehalis?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Chehalis ($1,475/mo): Longview ($1,296/mo), Centralia ($1,300/mo).

What percentage of Chehalis residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 47.2% of Chehalis households are renters, while 52.8% are owner-occupied. Chehalis leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Chehalis rent compare to the national average?

Chehalis's median rent of $1,475/mo is $490 (25%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #104 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,475/mo, rent takes ~24% of Chehalis's median household income ($73,702/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Chehalis 24%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Chehalis, WA

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