City Report · WA

Fife

Pop. 10,949·70th most expensive in Washington·Fife rents are up 13.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,962/mo
Year-over-Year
+13.4%
Month-over-Month
+1.8%
vs US Median
$0
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Fife · $1,962
More expensive than 56% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,962/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$78,000/yr
Local median income
$90,532/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Fife's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,630
1 BR
$1,850
2 BR
$2,270
3 BR
$3,180
4 BR+
$3,630
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,270/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,962 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
$23,544/yr
At $1,962/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 13.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+13.4% YoY, +1.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Fife, WA is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 27.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,949
Median income
$90,532
Median age
31.3
Renters
53.7%
Age distribution
26.7%
30.5%
25.9%
Under 1826.7%
18–3430.5%
35–5425.9%
55–649.7%
65+7.2%
Gender
49.7%
50.3%
Male49.7%
Female50.3%
Race & ethnicity
39.5%
14.6%
15.2%
16.3%
14.4%
White39.5%
Black14.6%
Hispanic15.2%
Asian16.3%
Other14.4%
Education (25+)
26.1%
37.1%
27.9%
No HS diploma8.9%
HS diploma26.1%
Some college37.1%
Bachelor's+27.9%
Housing tenure
46.3%
53.7%
Owner46.3%
Renter53.7%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Fife, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,673 → $1,962
up 17.3%
Income
$75,557 → $90,532
up 19.8%
Population
10,869 → 10,949
up 0.7%
Renter share
56.2% → 53.7%
-2.5 pts
Bachelor's+
25.2% → 27.9%
+2.7 pts

Since 2022, the typical rent in Fife, WA has climbed from $1,673 to $1,962, a 17.3% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $90,532 today, compared with $75,557 five years earlier. Renters now make up 53.7% of households, compared with 56.2% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 27.9% of adults here, versus 25.2% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2022.

Community

Discussions about Fife

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

Can you afford rent in Fife on your salary?

At $1,962/mo, how Fife rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Fife rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fife

About renting in Fife, WA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Fife is $1,962/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,630/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,270/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,850/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,180/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($90,532/yr), Fife ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 13.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fife an affordable city for renters?

Fife is considered affordable for renters. At $1,962/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($90,532/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fife falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Fife?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,962/mo in Fife. The local median household income is $90,532/yr, meaning the typical Fife household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fife?

Rent in Fife has increased 13.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Fife rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Fife is middle-of-the-pack for Washington for rent, ranking #70 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,962/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fife?

Federal Way is nearby and more affordable at $1,920/mo, which is $42 less than Fife.

What percentage of Fife residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 53.7% of Fife households are renters, while 46.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Fife has a strong rental market.

How does Fife rent compare to the national average?

Fife's median rent of $1,962/mo is exactly at the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #70 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,962/mo, rent takes ~26% of Fife's median household income ($90,532/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fife 26%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Fife affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Public schools near Fife, WA

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