Rents are 5% below what Kirkland's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
Bedroom figures are derived from HUD Fair Market Rents and scaled to match Kirkland's market median, because the published HUD values all ran above it. They are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
January. Asking rents in Kirkland usually run 2.4% below trend in January and 2.1% above it in July, about $118 a month apart at today's median. Based on 11 years of data.
Rent in Kirkland is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2015.
Rent in Kirkland changed +3.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 97 Washington cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent in Kirkland rose 28% while median household income rose 28.4% ($117,190 to $150,414). Income kept ahead of rent.
Rent in Kirkland is 28.9% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 8 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($150,414) is $3,760 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($3,140); a 3-bedroom is $4,140.
Shoreline, 7 miles away, rents for 25% less ($1,971/mo), about $7,800 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Kirkland. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Kirkland, WA has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Kirkland, WA paid around $2,028 a month. That figure now sits near $2,619, up 29.1% 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.
Discussions about Kirkland
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Kirkland on your salary?
At $2,619/mo, how Kirkland rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Kirkland rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Kirkland. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Kirkland
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Kirkland is $2,619/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,015/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,406/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,065/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,172/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 3.9% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Kirkland?
Is rent going up or down in Kirkland?
When is the cheapest time to rent in Kirkland?
Has rent outpaced income in Kirkland?
Which Kirkland neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Kirkland rent compare to other cities in Washington?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kirkland?
At $2,619/mo, rent takes ~21% of Kirkland's median household income ($150,414/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Kirkland.
No discussions yet.