Studio Apartment Rent in Mercer Island, WA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Mercer Island, Washington as of October 2026. That's +1% lower than the citywide median of $2,796 and +115% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in Washington
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aberdeen | $790 |
| 2 | Port Angeles | $800 |
| 3 | Pullman | $800 |
| 4 | Chehalis | $870 |
| 5 | Sedro-Woolley | $893 |
| 6 | Ellensburg | $910 |
| 7 | Longview | $930 |
| 8 | Moses Lake | $940 |
| 9 | Cheney | $950 |
| 10 | Kelso | $950 |
| 11 | Shelton | $970 |
| 12 | Spokane | $974 |
| 13 | Wenatchee | $990 |
| 14 | Yakima | $1,027 |
| 15 | Spokane Valley | $1,036 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Washington
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sammamish | $3,255 |
| 2 | Snoqualmie | $3,060 |
| 3 | Issaquah | $2,815 |
| 4 | Mercer Island (this page) | $2,770 |
| 5 | Maple Valley | $2,610 |
| 6 | Woodinville | $2,540 |
| 7 | Bothell | $2,473 |
| 8 | North Bend | $2,310 |
| 9 | Mukilteo | $2,310 |
| 10 | Covington | $2,310 |
| 11 | Lake Stevens | $2,280 |
| 12 | Newcastle | $2,260 |
| 13 | Renton | $2,238 |
| 14 | Edmonds | $2,180 |
| 15 | Kenmore | $2,140 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Mercer Island.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Mercer Island |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryn Mawr-Skyway, WA | 4.8 mi | $1,588 | $-1,182 (-43%) |
| Newcastle, WA | 5.6 mi | $2,260 | $-510 (-18%) |
| Bellevue, WA | 5.9 mi | $2,124 | $-646 (-23%) |
| Tukwila, WA | 7.4 mi | $1,761 | $-1,009 (-36%) |
| Renton, WA | 7.8 mi | $2,238 | $-532 (-19%) |
| Seatac, WA | 7.8 mi | $1,488 | $-1,282 (-46%) |
| Seattle, WA | 7.9 mi | $1,713 | $-1,057 (-38%) |
| Kirkland, WA | 9.1 mi | $2,015 | $-755 (-27%) |
| Burien, WA | 10.5 mi | $1,336 | $-1,434 (-52%) |
| Kent, WA | 12.4 mi | $1,508 | $-1,262 (-46%) |
| Kenmore, WA | 13 mi | $2,140 | $-630 (-23%) |
| Des Moines, WA | 13.4 mi | $1,990 | $-780 (-28%) |
Studio rent in Mercer Island — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Mercer Island?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Mercer Island, Washington is $2,770 per month. This is +1% below the citywide median of $2,796.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Mercer Island?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $110,800 ($9,233/month gross), which works out to roughly $53.27/hour at a full-time job.
Is Mercer Island expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Mercer Island's studio median of $2,770 is +115% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Mercer Island rank for studio rent in Washington?
Among the 103 cities in Washington with studio data, Mercer Island ranks #100 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Mercer Island?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Bryn Mawr-Skyway ($1,588), Newcastle ($2,260), Bellevue ($2,124).