1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Mercer Island, WA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Mercer Island, Washington as of October 2026. That's +1% higher than the citywide median of $2,796 and +103% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Mercer Island
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Mercer Island
Compare Mercer Island's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Washington
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midland | $737 |
| 2 | Pullman | $880 |
| 3 | Aberdeen | $890 |
| 4 | Port Angeles | $890 |
| 5 | Moses Lake | $940 |
| 6 | Chehalis | $980 |
| 7 | Shelton | $980 |
| 8 | Ellensburg | $1,010 |
| 9 | Sedro-Woolley | $1,026 |
| 10 | Yakima | $1,040 |
| 11 | Cheney | $1,070 |
| 12 | Spokane | $1,096 |
| 13 | Wenatchee | $1,100 |
| 14 | Longview | $1,150 |
| 15 | Spokane Valley | $1,164 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Washington
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sammamish | $3,335 |
| 2 | Snoqualmie | $3,130 |
| 3 | Issaquah | $2,880 |
| 4 | Mercer Island (this page) | $2,830 |
| 5 | Maple Valley | $2,680 |
| 6 | Woodinville | $2,600 |
| 7 | Bothell | $2,537 |
| 8 | North Bend | $2,370 |
| 9 | Mukilteo | $2,370 |
| 10 | Covington | $2,370 |
| 11 | Lake Stevens | $2,340 |
| 12 | Renton | $2,296 |
| 13 | Edmonds | $2,230 |
| 14 | Dupont | $2,230 |
| 15 | Newcastle | $2,226 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Mercer Island.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Mercer Island |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryn Mawr-Skyway, WA | 4.8 mi | $1,634 | $-1,196 (-42%) |
| Newcastle, WA | 5.6 mi | $2,226 | $-604 (-21%) |
| Bellevue, WA | 5.9 mi | $2,176 | $-654 (-23%) |
| Tukwila, WA | 7.4 mi | $1,784 | $-1,046 (-37%) |
| Renton, WA | 7.8 mi | $2,296 | $-534 (-19%) |
| Seatac, WA | 7.8 mi | $1,533 | $-1,297 (-46%) |
| Seattle, WA | 7.9 mi | $1,756 | $-1,074 (-38%) |
| Kirkland, WA | 9.1 mi | $2,065 | $-765 (-27%) |
| Burien, WA | 10.5 mi | $1,376 | $-1,454 (-51%) |
| Kent, WA | 12.4 mi | $1,545 | $-1,285 (-45%) |
| Kenmore, WA | 13 mi | $2,190 | $-640 (-23%) |
| Des Moines, WA | 13.4 mi | $2,050 | $-780 (-28%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Mercer Island — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Mercer Island?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Mercer Island, Washington is $2,830 per month. This is +1% higher than the citywide median of $2,796.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Mercer Island?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $113,200 ($9,433/month gross), which works out to roughly $54.42/hour at a full-time job.
Is Mercer Island expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Mercer Island's 1-bedroom median of $2,830 is +103% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Mercer Island rank for 1-bedroom rent in Washington?
Among the 105 cities in Washington with 1-bedroom data, Mercer Island ranks #102 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Mercer Island?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Bryn Mawr-Skyway ($1,634), Newcastle ($2,226), Bellevue ($2,176).