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City Report · WA

La Center

Pop. 3,883·73rd most expensive in Washington·Rental market data updated monthly for La Center, WA
Median rent (all units)
$1,933/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+7.7%
vs US Median
-$32
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
La Center · $1,933
More expensive than 55% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,933/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$77,000/yr
Local median income
$101,708/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using La Center's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,930
1 BR
$2,080
2 BR
$2,370
3 BR
$3,250
4 BR+
$3,820
Research median
$2,370/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: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$23,196/yr
At $1,933/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +7.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

La Center, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 30% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
3,883
Median income
$101,708
Median age
37.2
Renters
24.9%
Age distribution
25.1%
22.7%
28.8%
14.2%
Under 1825.1%
18–3422.7%
35–5428.8%
55–649.3%
65+14.2%
Gender
46.3%
53.7%
Male46.3%
Female53.7%
Race & ethnicity
82.4%
White82.4%
Hispanic8.9%
Asian10.1%
Education (25+)
18.6%
45.9%
30%
No HS diploma5.5%
HS diploma18.6%
Some college45.9%
Bachelor's+30%
Housing tenure
75.1%
24.9%
Owner75.1%
Renter24.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How La Center, WA has changed in 5 years

Income
$91,375 → $101,708
up 11.3%
Population
3,471 → 3,883
up 11.9%
Renter share
20.6% → 24.9%
+4.3 pts
Bachelor's+
21% → 30%
+9.0 pts
Median age
35.8 → 37.2
+1.4 yrs

Median household income climbed from $91,375 to $101,708 between 2021 and 2024, a 11.3% shift. Census counts show La Center, WA adding about 412 residents over the five-year window, up 11.9% on net. The renter share has risen from 20.6% to 24.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 21% to 30% across the same window.

Community

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View La Center rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in La Center on your salary?

At $1,933/mo, how La Center rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

La Center rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in La Center

About renting in La Center, WA

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in La Center is $1,933/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,930/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,370/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,080/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,250/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($101,708/yr), La Center ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is La Center an affordable city for renters?

La Center is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,933/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($101,708/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. La Center falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in La Center?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,933/mo in La Center. The local median household income is $101,708/yr, meaning the typical La Center household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in La Center?

Rent in La Center has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of June 2026.

How does La Center rent compare to other cities in Washington?

La Center is middle-of-the-pack for Washington for rent, ranking #73 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,933/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than La Center?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than La Center ($1,933/mo): Kelso ($1,553/mo), Saint Helens ($1,777/mo), Vancouver ($1,818/mo).

What percentage of La Center residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 24.9% of La Center households are renters, while 75.1% are owner-occupied. La Center leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does La Center rent compare to the national average?

La Center's median rent of $1,933/mo is $32 (2%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #73 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,933/mo, rent takes ~23% of La Center's median household income ($101,708/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

La Center 23%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near La Center, WA

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