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City Report · WA

Milton

Pop. 8,894·46th most expensive in Washington·Rental market data updated monthly for Milton, WA
Median rent (all units)
$2,191/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.4%
Month-over-Month
+2.6%
vs US Median
+$229
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Milton · $2,191
More expensive than 69% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,191/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$88,000/yr
Local median income
$96,540/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Milton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,990
1 BR
$2,050
2 BR
$2,390
3 BR
$3,170
4 BR+
$3,680
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,390/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,191 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
$26,292/yr
At $2,191/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 2.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.4% YoY, +2.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Milton, WA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 22.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,894
Median income
$96,540
Median age
37.9
Renters
45%
Age distribution
24.8%
21%
28.7%
12.4%
13%
Under 1824.8%
18–3421%
35–5428.7%
55–6412.4%
65+13%
Gender
45.2%
54.8%
Male45.2%
Female54.8%
Race & ethnicity
73.7%
15.9%
White73.7%
Black3.8%
Hispanic15.9%
Asian5.7%
Other0.9%
Education (25+)
31%
37.4%
22.1%
No HS diploma9.4%
HS diploma31%
Some college37.4%
Bachelor's+22.1%
Housing tenure
55%
45%
Owner55%
Renter45%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Milton, WA has changed in 5 years

Income
$81,690 → $96,540
up 18.2%
Population
8,501 → 8,894
up 4.6%
Renter share
43% → 45%
+2.0 pts
Bachelor's+
20.2% → 22.1%
+1.9 pts
Median age
37.3 → 37.9
+0.6 yrs

Median household income rose from $81,690 to $96,540 between 2021 and 2024, a 18.2% shift. The population has grown by 4.6% since 2021, moving from about 8,501 residents to roughly 8,894. Renters now make up 45% of households, compared with 43% five years ago.

Community

Discussions about Milton

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View Milton rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Milton on your salary?

At $2,191/mo, how Milton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Milton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Milton

About renting in Milton, WA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Milton is $2,191/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,990/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,390/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,050/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,170/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($96,540/yr), Milton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Milton an affordable city for renters?

Milton is considered affordable for renters. At $2,191/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($96,540/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Milton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Milton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $88,000/year (~$42/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,191/mo in Milton. The local median household income is $96,540/yr, meaning the typical Milton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Milton?

Rent in Milton has increased 2.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Milton rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Milton is middle-of-the-pack for Washington for rent, ranking #46 out of 110 tracked cities at $2,191/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Milton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Milton ($2,191/mo): Pacific ($1,879/mo), Federal Way ($1,920/mo), Fife ($1,962/mo).

What percentage of Milton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45% of Milton households are renters, while 55% are owner-occupied. Milton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Milton rent compare to the national average?

Milton's median rent of $2,191/mo is $229 (12%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #46 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,191/mo, rent takes ~27% of Milton's median household income ($96,540/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Milton 27%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Milton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Milton, WA

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