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City Report · WA

Ellensburg

Pop. 20,874·90th most expensive in Washington·Ellensburg rents are up 11.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,716/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.6%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
-$249
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Ellensburg · $1,716
More affordable than 60% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
37/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% above what Ellensburg's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,716/mo
Expected by trend
$1,613/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Ellensburg's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$910
1 BR
$1,010
2 BR
$1,320
3 BR
$1,850
4 BR+
$2,220
Research median
$1,320/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
$20,592/yr
At $1,716/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.6% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Ellensburg, WA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 41.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
20,874
Median income
$55,438
Median age
25
Renters
67.1%
Age distribution
14.5%
51%
16.6%
Under 1814.5%
18–3451%
35–5416.6%
55–648%
65+9.9%
Gender
47.4%
52.6%
Male47.4%
Female52.6%
Race & ethnicity
78.7%
12.8%
White78.7%
Black2.2%
Hispanic12.8%
Asian2.6%
Other3.6%
Education (25+)
20.6%
32.5%
41.4%
No HS diploma5.5%
HS diploma20.6%
Some college32.5%
Bachelor's+41.4%
Housing tenure
32.9%
67.1%
Owner32.9%
Renter67.1%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Ellensburg, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,464 → $1,716
up 17.2%
Income
$47,407 → $55,438
up 16.9%
Population
19,215 → 20,874
up 8.6%
Renter share
64.7% → 67.1%
+2.4 pts
Bachelor's+
41.8% → 41.4%
-0.4 pts
Median age
24.4 → 25
+0.6 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Ellensburg, WA has shifted from $1,464 to $1,716, up 17.2% since 2022. On the earnings side, the typical household in Ellensburg, WA now reports about $55,438, up from $47,407 in 2021. Census counts show Ellensburg, WA adding about 1,659 residents over the five-year window, up 8.6% on net. The renter share has risen from 64.7% to 67.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Ellensburg, WA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Ellensburg on your salary?

At $1,716/mo, how Ellensburg rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Ellensburg rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Ellensburg

About renting in Ellensburg, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Ellensburg is $1,716/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $910/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,320/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,010/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,850/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($55,438/yr), Ellensburg ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Ellensburg an affordable city for renters?

Ellensburg is considered moderate for renters. At $1,716/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($55,438/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Ellensburg slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Ellensburg?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $69,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,716/mo in Ellensburg. The local median household income is $55,438/yr, meaning the typical Ellensburg household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Ellensburg?

Rent in Ellensburg has increased 11.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Ellensburg rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Ellensburg is one of the more affordable cities in Washington for rent, ranking #90 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,716/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Ellensburg?

Yakima is nearby and more affordable at $1,369/mo, which is $347 less than Ellensburg.

What percentage of Ellensburg residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 67.1% of Ellensburg households are renters, while 32.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Ellensburg has a strong rental market.

How does Ellensburg rent compare to the national average?

Ellensburg's median rent of $1,716/mo is $249 (13%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #90 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $1,716/mo, rent takes ~37% of Ellensburg's median household income ($55,438/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Ellensburg 37%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Ellensburg affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Ellensburg, WA

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