City Report · WA

Kenmore

Pop. 23,741·22nd most expensive in Washington·Kenmore rents are up 16.7% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,600/mo
Year-over-Year
+16.7%
Month-over-Month
+6.7%
vs US Median
+$638
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kenmore · $2,600
More expensive than 82% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
43/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% above what Kenmore's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$2,600/mo
Expected by trend
$2,508/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Kenmore's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,140
1 BR
$2,190
2 BR
$2,550
3 BR
$3,360
4 BR+
$3,920
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,550/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,600 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
$31,200/yr
At $2,600/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 16.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+16.7% YoY, +6.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Kenmore, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 61.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
23,741
Median income
$139,764
Median age
39.1
Renters
30.7%
Age distribution
19.7%
22.3%
30.2%
17.2%
Under 1819.7%
18–3422.3%
35–5430.2%
55–6410.6%
65+17.2%
Gender
52.1%
47.9%
Male52.1%
Female47.9%
Race & ethnicity
65.1%
16.3%
White65.1%
Black2.9%
Hispanic9.8%
Asian16.3%
Other6%
Education (25+)
23.4%
61.8%
No HS diploma3.6%
HS diploma11.2%
Some college23.4%
Bachelor's+61.8%
Housing tenure
69.3%
30.7%
Owner69.3%
Renter30.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Kenmore, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,870 → $2,600
up 39.0%
Income
$121,463 → $139,764
up 15.1%
Population
23,556 → 23,741
up 0.8%
Renter share
30.4% → 30.7%
+0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
57.7% → 61.8%
+4.1 pts
Median age
39.6 → 39.1
-0.5 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Kenmore, WA has shifted from $1,870 to $2,600, up 39.0% since 2021. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $121,463 in 2021 to $139,764 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 57.7% to 61.8% across the same window. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Kenmore, WA market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Kenmore

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

Can you afford rent in Kenmore on your salary?

At $2,600/mo, how Kenmore rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kenmore rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kenmore

About renting in Kenmore, WA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Kenmore is $2,600/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,140/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,550/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,190/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,360/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($139,764/yr), Kenmore ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 16.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kenmore an affordable city for renters?

Kenmore is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,600/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($139,764/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kenmore falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Kenmore?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $104,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,600/mo in Kenmore. The local median household income is $139,764/yr, meaning the typical Kenmore household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kenmore?

Rent in Kenmore has increased 16.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Kenmore rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Kenmore is one of the pricier cities in Washington for rent, ranking #22 out of 110 tracked cities at $2,600/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kenmore?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Kenmore ($2,600/mo): Shoreline ($1,996/mo), Mountlake Terrace ($2,109/mo).

What percentage of Kenmore residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.7% of Kenmore households are renters, while 69.3% are owner-occupied. Kenmore leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kenmore rent compare to the national average?

Kenmore's median rent of $2,600/mo is $638 (33%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #22 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,600/mo, rent takes ~22% of Kenmore's median household income ($139,764/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kenmore 22%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kenmore, WA

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