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City Report · WA

Cheney

Pop. 12,804·104th most expensive in Washington·Rental market data updated monthly for Cheney, WA
Median rent (all units)
$1,474/mo
Year-over-Year
-1.9%
Month-over-Month
+1.6%
vs US Median
-$488
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Cheney · $1,474
More affordable than 77% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
71/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent
$1,474/mo
Expected by trend
$1,651/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Cheney's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$950
1 BR
$1,070
2 BR
$1,380
3 BR
$1,910
4 BR+
$2,240
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,380/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,474 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
$17,688/yr
At $1,474/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (-1.9% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Cheney, WA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 38% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,804
Median income
$54,503
Median age
24.4
Renters
65.3%
Age distribution
14.3%
54.6%
14%
Under 1814.3%
18–3454.6%
35–5414%
55–645.4%
65+11.7%
Gender
46.6%
53.4%
Male46.6%
Female53.4%
Race & ethnicity
76.6%
White76.6%
Black1.1%
Hispanic10.7%
Asian3.5%
Other8.1%
Education (25+)
18.5%
39.5%
38%
No HS diploma4%
HS diploma18.5%
Some college39.5%
Bachelor's+38%
Housing tenure
34.7%
65.3%
Owner34.7%
Renter65.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Cheney, WA has changed in 5 years

Income
$42,275 → $54,503
up 28.9%
Population
12,743 → 12,804
up 0.5%
Renter share
66.3% → 65.3%
-1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
43.6% → 38%
-5.6 pts
Median age
23.4 → 24.4
+1.0 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $54,503 today, compared with $42,275 five years earlier. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 43.6% to 38%.

Community

Discussions about Cheney

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

Can you afford rent in Cheney on your salary?

At $1,474/mo, how Cheney rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Cheney rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cheney

About renting in Cheney, WA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Cheney is $1,474/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $950/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,380/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,070/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,910/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($54,503/yr), Cheney ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cheney an affordable city for renters?

Cheney is considered moderate for renters. At $1,474/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($54,503/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cheney slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Cheney?

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 $1,474/mo in Cheney. The local median household income is $54,503/yr, meaning the typical Cheney household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cheney?

Rent in Cheney has decreased 1.9% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Cheney rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Cheney is one of the more affordable cities in Washington for rent, ranking #104 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,474/mo.

What percentage of Cheney residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 65.3% of Cheney households are renters, while 34.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Cheney has a strong rental market.

How does Cheney rent compare to the national average?

Cheney's median rent of $1,474/mo is $488 (25%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #104 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,474/mo, rent takes ~32% of Cheney's median household income ($54,503/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cheney 32%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Cheney, WA

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