1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Kelso, WA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kelso, Washington as of July 2026. That's +25% lower than the citywide median of $1,553 and +16% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Kelso
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Kelso
Compare Kelso's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Washington
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midland | $737 |
| 2 | Pullman | $880 |
| 3 | Aberdeen | $890 |
| 4 | Port Angeles | $890 |
| 5 | Moses Lake | $940 |
| 6 | Chehalis | $980 |
| 7 | Clarkston | $980 |
| 8 | Shelton | $980 |
| 9 | Ellensburg | $1,010 |
| 10 | Sedro-Woolley | $1,026 |
| 11 | Yakima | $1,040 |
| 12 | Cheney | $1,070 |
| 13 | Spokane | $1,096 |
| 14 | Wenatchee | $1,100 |
| 15 | Longview | $1,150 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Washington
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sammamish | $3,335 |
| 2 | Snoqualmie | $3,130 |
| 3 | Issaquah | $2,880 |
| 4 | Maple Valley | $2,680 |
| 5 | Bothell | $2,537 |
| 6 | North Bend | $2,370 |
| 7 | Mukilteo | $2,370 |
| 8 | Covington | $2,370 |
| 9 | Lake Stevens | $2,340 |
| 10 | Edmonds | $2,230 |
| 11 | Dupont | $2,230 |
| 12 | Newcastle | $2,226 |
| 13 | Bellevue | $2,205 |
| 14 | Kenmore | $2,190 |
| 15 | Monroe | $2,180 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Kelso.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Kelso |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longview, WA | 19.6 mi | $1,150 | $-20 (-2%) |
| Saint Helens, OR | 23.7 mi | $1,600 | +$430 (+37%) |
| Ridgefield, WA | 25.7 mi | $2,150 | +$980 (+84%) |
| Scappoose, OR | 30.7 mi | $1,780 | +$610 (+52%) |
| Battle Ground, WA | 31.1 mi | $1,650 | +$480 (+41%) |
| Chehalis, WA | 36.8 mi | $980 | $-190 (-16%) |
| Vancouver, WA | 36.9 mi | $1,745 | +$575 (+49%) |
| Centralia, WA | 39.5 mi | $1,400 | +$230 (+20%) |
| Rockcreek, OR | 43.3 mi | $1,511 | +$341 (+29%) |
| Camas, WA | 45.6 mi | $1,870 | +$700 (+60%) |
| Portland, OR | 45.7 mi | $1,785 | +$615 (+53%) |
| West Slope, OR | 46.2 mi | $1,810 | +$640 (+55%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Kelso — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Kelso?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Kelso, Washington is $1,170 per month. This is +25% below the citywide median of $1,553.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Kelso?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $46,800 ($3,900/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.50/hour at a full-time job.
Is Kelso expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Kelso's 1-bedroom median of $1,170 is +16% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 34th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Kelso rank for 1-bedroom rent in Washington?
Among the 105 cities in Washington with 1-bedroom data, Kelso ranks #17 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Kelso?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Longview ($1,150), Chehalis ($980).