How much does it cost to rent in Lake Stevens, WA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Lake Stevens, WA is $2,964. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Lake Stevens cheaper than other Washington cities?

Lake Stevens is one of the pricier cities in Washington, ranking #7 out of 110 cities tracked at $2,964/mo.

When was Lake Stevens rent data last updated?

Lake Stevens 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

Lake Stevens

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

Pop. 40,253·7th most expensive in Washington·Lake Stevens rents are up 11.8% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,964/mo

Year-over-Year

+11.8%

Month-over-Month

+0.4%

vs US Median

+$999

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Lake Stevens · $2,964

More expensive than 90% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

56/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent

$2,964/mo

Expected by trend

$3,061/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,280

1 BR

$2,340

2 BR

$2,720

3 BR

$3,590

4 BR+

$4,180

Research median

$2,720/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

$35,568/yr

At $2,964/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 11.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+11.8% YoY, +0.4% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Lake Stevens, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 35% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

40,253

Median income

$122,336

Median age

34.7

Renters

24.4%

Age distribution

29.1%

21.6%

30.7%

Under 1829.1%

18–3421.6%

35–5430.7%

55–6410.1%

65+8.6%

Gender

49.3%

50.7%

Male49.3%

Female50.7%

Race & ethnicity

70.8%

White70.8%

Black2.6%

Hispanic11.3%

Asian10.2%

Other5.1%

Education (25+)

24.4%

34.6%

35%

No HS diploma6%

HS diploma24.4%

Some college34.6%

Bachelor's+35%

Housing tenure

75.6%

24.4%

Owner75.6%

Renter24.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lake Stevens, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,244 → $2,964

up 32.1%

Income

$99,296 → $122,336

up 23.2%

Population

35,135 → 40,253

up 14.6%

Renter share

24.7% → 24.4%

-0.3 pts

Bachelor's+

29.6% → 35%

+5.4 pts

The median rent in Lake Stevens, WA stood at $2,244 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,964, reflecting a 32.1% increase over the period. On the earnings side, the typical household in Lake Stevens, WA now reports about $122,336, up from $99,296 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 14.6% since 2021, moving from about 35,135 residents to roughly 40,253. College-educated residents now make up 35% of adults here, versus 29.6% in 2021. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Lake Stevens, WA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Lake Stevens

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View Lake Stevens rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lake Stevens on your salary?

At $2,964/mo, how Lake Stevens rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $105,818/yr · Rent = 33.6% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $75,130/yr · Rent = 47.3% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $86,542/yr · Rent = 41.1% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $154,683/yr · Rent = 23% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $197,646/yr · Rent = 18% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $70,347/yr · Rent = 50.6% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $63,515/yr · Rent = 56% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $78,288/yr · Rent = 45.4% income

rent-burdened

By apartment size

Lake Stevens rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lake Stevens

About renting in Lake Stevens, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lake Stevens is $2,964/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,280/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,720/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,340/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,590/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($122,336/yr), Lake Stevens ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Stevens an affordable city for renters?

Lake Stevens is considered affordable for renters. At $2,964/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($122,336/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lake Stevens falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lake Stevens?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $119,000/year (~$57/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,964/mo in Lake Stevens. The local median household income is $122,336/yr, meaning the typical Lake Stevens household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lake Stevens?

Rent in Lake Stevens has increased 11.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Lake Stevens rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Lake Stevens is one of the pricier cities in Washington for rent, ranking #7 out of 110 tracked cities at $2,964/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lake Stevens?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lake Stevens ($2,964/mo): Everett ($1,946/mo), Arlington ($2,183/mo), Mill Creek ($2,374/mo).

What percentage of Lake Stevens residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 24.4% of Lake Stevens households are renters, while 75.6% are owner-occupied. Lake Stevens leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lake Stevens rent compare to the national average?

Lake Stevens's median rent of $2,964/mo is $999 (51%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #7 out of 110 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

29%

AFFORDABLE

At $2,964/mo, rent takes ~29% of Lake Stevens's median household income ($122,336/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lake Stevens 29%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

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Nearby cities