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City Report · WA

Lake Forest Park

Pop. 13,335·10th most expensive in Washington·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,869/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+11.5%
vs US Median
+$907
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lake Forest Park · $2,869
More expensive than 88% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,869/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$115,000/yr
Local median income
$159,904/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Lake Forest Park's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

1 BR
$1,845
2 BR
$2,351
3 BR
$2,852
4 BR+
$3,501
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,351/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,869 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
$34,428/yr
At $2,869/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, +11.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lake Forest Park, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 66% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
13,335
Median income
$159,904
Median age
42.1
Renters
19.4%
Age distribution
19.7%
20%
28%
14.2%
18.2%
Under 1819.7%
18–3420%
35–5428%
55–6414.2%
65+18.2%
Gender
50.9%
49.1%
Male50.9%
Female49.1%
Race & ethnicity
69.5%
White69.5%
Black5.2%
Hispanic5.9%
Asian11.5%
Other7.9%
Education (25+)
22.2%
66%
No HS diploma2.9%
HS diploma9%
Some college22.2%
Bachelor's+66%
Housing tenure
80.6%
19.4%
Owner80.6%
Renter19.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lake Forest Park, WA has changed in 5 years

Income
$139,881 → $159,904
up 14.3%
Population
13,529 → 13,335
down 1.4%
Renter share
21.2% → 19.4%
-1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
64.2% → 66%
+1.8 pts
Median age
43.4 → 42.1
-1.3 yrs

Median household income rose from $139,881 to $159,904 between 2021 and 2024, a 14.3% shift. The population has contracted by 1.4% since 2021, moving from about 13,529 residents to roughly 13,335. Renters now make up 19.4% of households, compared with 21.2% five years ago.

Community

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View Lake Forest Park rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lake Forest Park on your salary?

At $2,869/mo, how Lake Forest Park rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lake Forest Park rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Lake Forest Park. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lake Forest Park

About renting in Lake Forest Park, WA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Lake Forest Park is $2,869/mo as of August 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $2,351/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,845/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,852/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($159,904/yr), Lake Forest Park ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Forest Park an affordable city for renters?

Lake Forest Park is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,869/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($159,904/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lake Forest Park falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lake Forest Park?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $115,000/year (~$55/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,869/mo in Lake Forest Park. The local median household income is $159,904/yr, meaning the typical Lake Forest Park household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lake Forest Park?

Rent in Lake Forest Park has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Lake Forest Park rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Lake Forest Park is one of the pricier cities in Washington for rent, ranking #10 out of 110 tracked cities at $2,869/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lake Forest Park?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lake Forest Park ($2,869/mo): Shoreline ($1,996/mo), Mountlake Terrace ($2,109/mo), Lynnwood ($2,190/mo).

What percentage of Lake Forest Park residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 19.4% of Lake Forest Park households are renters, while 80.6% are owner-occupied. Lake Forest Park leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lake Forest Park rent compare to the national average?

Lake Forest Park's median rent of $2,869/mo is $907 (46%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #10 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,869/mo, rent takes ~22% of Lake Forest Park's median household income ($159,904/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lake Forest Park 22%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Lake Forest Park affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lake Forest Park, WA

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