How much does it cost to rent in Kirkland, WA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Kirkland, WA is $2,626. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Kirkland cheaper than other Washington cities?

Kirkland is one of the pricier cities in Washington, ranking #20 out of 110 cities tracked at $2,626/mo.

When was Kirkland rent data last updated?

Kirkland rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · WA

Kirkland

Name: Average Rent Prices in Kirkland, WA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 92,621·20th most expensive in Washington·Kirkland rents are up 7.1% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,626/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.1%

Month-over-Month

Stable

vs US Median

+$661

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Kirkland · $2,626

More expensive than 83% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

56/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Kirkland's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,626/mo

Expected by trend

$2,714/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Kirkland's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,020

1 BR

$2,070

2 BR

$2,412

3 BR

$3,180

4 BR+

$3,706

Research median

$2,412/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

$31,512/yr

At $2,626/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.1% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Kirkland, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 66.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

92,621

Median income

$150,414

Median age

38.3

Renters

39.2%

Age distribution

19.3%

24.7%

29.9%

14.2%

Under 1819.3%

18–3424.7%

35–5429.9%

55–6411.8%

65+14.2%

Gender

50%

Male50%

Female50%

Race & ethnicity

64.2%

19.4%

White64.2%

Black1.8%

Hispanic7.8%

Asian19.4%

Other6.9%

Education (25+)

21%

66.3%

No HS diploma2.6%

HS diploma10%

Some college21%

Bachelor's+66.3%

Housing tenure

60.8%

39.2%

Owner60.8%

Renter39.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Kirkland, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,031 → $2,626

up 29.3%

Income

$121,998 → $150,414

up 23.3%

Population

91,656 → 92,621

up 1.1%

Renter share

38.2% → 39.2%

+1.0 pts

Bachelor's+

62.1% → 66.3%

+4.2 pts

Median age

37.8 → 38.3

+0.5 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Kirkland, WA paid around $2,031 a month. That figure now sits near $2,626, up 29.3% from the 2021 baseline. Household income in the area moved from $121,998 to $150,414 across the same window, up 23.3% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Kirkland, WA adding about 965 residents over the five-year window, up 1.1% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 62.1% to 66.3% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Kirkland, WA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Kirkland

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View Kirkland rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Kirkland on your salary?

At $2,626/mo, how Kirkland rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $105,818/yr · Rent = 29.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $75,130/yr · Rent = 41.9% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $86,542/yr · Rent = 36.4% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $154,683/yr · Rent = 20.4% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $197,646/yr · Rent = 15.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $70,347/yr · Rent = 44.8% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $63,515/yr · Rent = 49.6% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $78,288/yr · Rent = 40.3% income

rent-burdened

By apartment size

Kirkland rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kirkland

About renting in Kirkland, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Kirkland is $2,626/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,020/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,412/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,070/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,180/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($150,414/yr), Kirkland ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kirkland an affordable city for renters?

Kirkland is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,626/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($150,414/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kirkland falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Kirkland?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $105,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,626/mo in Kirkland. The local median household income is $150,414/yr, meaning the typical Kirkland household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kirkland?

Rent in Kirkland has increased 7.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Kirkland neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Kirkland are 98034 ($2,496/mo), and 98033 ($2,868/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Kirkland is $2,626/mo.

How does Kirkland rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Kirkland is one of the pricier cities in Washington for rent, ranking #20 out of 110 tracked cities at $2,626/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kirkland?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Kirkland ($2,626/mo): Kenmore ($2,437/mo), Woodinville ($2,493/mo), Lake Forest Park ($2,573/mo).

What percentage of Kirkland residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.2% of Kirkland households are renters, while 60.8% are owner-occupied. Kirkland leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kirkland rent compare to the national average?

Kirkland's median rent of $2,626/mo is $661 (34%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #20 out of 110 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

21%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,626/mo, rent takes ~21% of Kirkland's median household income ($150,414/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kirkland 21%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the Kirkland affordability calculator →

Nearby cities