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City Report · WA

Kelso

Pop. 12,684·103rd most expensive in Washington·Kelso rents have dropped 5.2%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,485/mo
Year-over-Year
-5.2%
Month-over-Month
-4.4%
vs US Median
-$477
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kelso · $1,485
More affordable than 77% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,485/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$59,000/yr
Local median income
$66,751/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Kelso's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$950
1 BR
$1,170
2 BR
$1,390
3 BR
$1,950
4 BR+
$2,330
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,390/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,485 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
$17,820/yr
At $1,485/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 5.2% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-5.2% YoY, -4.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Kelso, WA is majority owner-occupied, 12.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,684
Median income
$66,751
Median age
39.9
Renters
43.9%
Age distribution
19.7%
26.2%
25.5%
17.3%
Under 1819.7%
18–3426.2%
35–5425.5%
55–6411.3%
65+17.3%
Gender
50.1%
49.9%
Male50.1%
Female49.9%
Race & ethnicity
80.6%
White80.6%
Black1.9%
Hispanic10.3%
Asian0.7%
Other6.5%
Education (25+)
30.4%
45.4%
12.5%
No HS diploma11.8%
HS diploma30.4%
Some college45.4%
Bachelor's+12.5%
Housing tenure
56.1%
43.9%
Owner56.1%
Renter43.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Kelso, WA has changed in 5 years

Income
$51,203 → $66,751
up 30.4%
Population
12,566 → 12,684
up 0.9%
Renter share
45.7% → 43.9%
-1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
11% → 12.5%
+1.5 pts
Median age
38.2 → 39.9
+1.7 yrs

Median household income rose from $51,203 to $66,751 between 2021 and 2024, a 30.4% shift. Renters now make up 43.9% of households, compared with 45.7% five years ago.

Community

Discussions about Kelso

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

Can you afford rent in Kelso on your salary?

At $1,485/mo, how Kelso rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kelso rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kelso

About renting in Kelso, WA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Kelso is $1,485/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $950/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,390/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,170/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,950/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($66,751/yr), Kelso ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 5.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kelso an affordable city for renters?

Kelso is considered affordable for renters. At $1,485/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($66,751/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kelso falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Kelso?

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 $1,485/mo in Kelso. The local median household income is $66,751/yr, meaning the typical Kelso household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kelso?

Rent in Kelso has decreased 5.2% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Kelso rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Kelso is one of the more affordable cities in Washington for rent, ranking #103 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,485/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kelso?

Longview is nearby and more affordable at $1,284/mo, which is $201 less than Kelso.

What percentage of Kelso residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.9% of Kelso households are renters, while 56.1% are owner-occupied. Kelso leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kelso rent compare to the national average?

Kelso's median rent of $1,485/mo is $477 (24%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #103 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,485/mo, rent takes ~27% of Kelso's median household income ($66,751/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kelso 27%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Kelso affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kelso, WA

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