City Report · WA

Gig Harbor

Pop. 12,424·8th most expensive in Washington·Gig Harbor rents are up 21.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,938/mo
Year-over-Year
+21.3%
Month-over-Month
+6.8%
vs US Median
+$973
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Gig Harbor rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Gig Harbor · $2,938
More expensive than 89% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
39/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent
$2,938/mo
Expected by trend
$2,782/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Gig Harbor's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,815
1 BR
$2,055
2 BR
$2,530
3 BR
$3,545
4 BR+
$4,050
Research median
$2,530/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$35,256/yr
At $2,938/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 21.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+21.3% YoY, +6.8% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Gig Harbor, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 52.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,424
Median income
$118,395
Median age
46.6
Renters
37.8%
Age distribution
21.6%
14.2%
22.5%
30.6%
Under 1821.6%
18–3414.2%
35–5422.5%
55–6411.1%
65+30.6%
Gender
46.9%
53.1%
Male46.9%
Female53.1%
Race & ethnicity
80.6%
White80.6%
Black0.7%
Hispanic5.9%
Asian2.5%
Other10.3%
Education (25+)
12.9%
31.5%
52.1%
No HS diploma3.5%
HS diploma12.9%
Some college31.5%
Bachelor's+52.1%
Housing tenure
62.2%
37.8%
Owner62.2%
Renter37.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Gig Harbor, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,999 → $2,938
up 47.0%
Income
$96,192 → $118,395
up 23.1%
Population
11,505 → 12,424
up 8.0%
Renter share
36.6% → 37.8%
+1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
47.9% → 52.1%
+4.2 pts
Median age
41.8 → 46.6
+4.8 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Gig Harbor, WA has shifted from $1,999 to $2,938, up 47.0% since 2021. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $96,192 in 2021 to $118,395 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Gig Harbor, WA adding about 919 residents over the five-year window, up 8.0% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 47.9% to 52.1% across the same window. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Gig Harbor, WA market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Gig Harbor

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Gig Harbor rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Gig Harbor on your salary?

At $2,938/mo, how Gig Harbor rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Gig Harbor rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Gig Harbor

About renting in Gig Harbor, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Gig Harbor is $2,938/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,815/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,530/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,055/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,545/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($118,395/yr), Gig Harbor ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 21.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Gig Harbor an affordable city for renters?

Gig Harbor is considered moderate for renters. At $2,938/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($118,395/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Gig Harbor slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Gig Harbor?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $118,000/year (~$57/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,938/mo in Gig Harbor. The local median household income is $118,395/yr, meaning the typical Gig Harbor household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Gig Harbor?

Rent in Gig Harbor has increased 21.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Gig Harbor neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Gig Harbor are 98335 ($2,953/mo), and 98332 ($3,051/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Gig Harbor is $2,938/mo.

How does Gig Harbor rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Gig Harbor is one of the pricier cities in Washington for rent, ranking #8 out of 110 tracked cities at $2,938/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Gig Harbor?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Gig Harbor ($2,938/mo): Tacoma ($1,749/mo), University Place ($1,904/mo), Steilacoom ($1,990/mo).

What percentage of Gig Harbor residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 37.8% of Gig Harbor households are renters, while 62.2% are owner-occupied. Gig Harbor leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Gig Harbor rent compare to the national average?

Gig Harbor's median rent of $2,938/mo is $973 (50%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #8 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $2,938/mo, rent takes ~30% of Gig Harbor's median household income ($118,395/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Gig Harbor 30%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Gig Harbor affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Gig Harbor
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Gig Harbor, WA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Gig Harbor.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.