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City Report · WA

Kent

Pop. 135,603·66th most expensive in Washington·Rental market data updated monthly for Kent, WA
Median rent (all units)
$1,978/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.5%
Month-over-Month
+2.0%
vs US Median
+$13
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kent · $1,978
More expensive than 58% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
67/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% below what Kent's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,978/mo
Expected by trend
$2,165/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Kent's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,523
1 BR
$1,560
2 BR
$1,817
3 BR
$2,394
4 BR+
$2,792
Research median
$1,817/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$23,736/yr
At $1,978/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (1.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.5% YoY, +2.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Kent, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 29.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
135,603
Median income
$92,302
Median age
35.5
Renters
42.8%
Age distribution
23.7%
25.5%
26.7%
12.2%
Under 1823.7%
18–3425.5%
35–5426.7%
55–6412.2%
65+11.9%
Gender
51%
49%
Male51%
Female49%
Race & ethnicity
38.1%
13.1%
16.6%
23.1%
White38.1%
Black13.1%
Hispanic16.6%
Asian23.1%
Other9.1%
Education (25+)
13.2%
24.5%
32.6%
29.8%
No HS diploma13.2%
HS diploma24.5%
Some college32.6%
Bachelor's+29.8%
Housing tenure
57.2%
42.8%
Owner57.2%
Renter42.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Kent, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,566 → $1,978
up 26.3%
Income
$79,781 → $92,302
up 15.7%
Population
134,890 → 135,603
up 0.5%
Renter share
44.3% → 42.8%
-1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
27.8% → 29.8%
+2.0 pts
Median age
34.8 → 35.5
+0.7 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Kent, WA paid around $1,566 a month. That figure now sits near $1,978, up 26.3% from the 2021 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in Kent, WA now reports about $92,302, up from $79,781 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has eased from 44.3% to 42.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 27.8% to 29.8% across the same window. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Kent, WA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Kent

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

Can you afford rent in Kent on your salary?

At $1,978/mo, how Kent rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kent rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kent

About renting in Kent, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Kent is $1,978/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,523/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,817/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,560/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,394/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($92,302/yr), Kent ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kent an affordable city for renters?

Kent is considered affordable for renters. At $1,978/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($92,302/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kent falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Kent?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $79,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,978/mo in Kent. The local median household income is $92,302/yr, meaning the typical Kent household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kent?

Rent in Kent has increased 1.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Kent neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Kent are 98032 ($1,932/mo), 98030 ($2,029/mo), and 98031 ($2,151/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Kent is $1,978/mo.

How does Kent rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Kent is middle-of-the-pack for Washington for rent, ranking #66 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,978/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kent?

Auburn is nearby and more affordable at $1,953/mo, which is $25 less than Kent.

What percentage of Kent residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.8% of Kent households are renters, while 57.2% are owner-occupied. Kent leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kent rent compare to the national average?

Kent's median rent of $1,978/mo is $13 (1%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #66 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,978/mo, rent takes ~26% of Kent's median household income ($92,302/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kent, WA

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