At $2,152/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,152 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Milton changed -0.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 97 Washington cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 5 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($96,540) is $2,414 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,390); a 3-bedroom is $3,170.
Fife, 2 miles away, rents for 17% less ($1,794/mo), about $4,300 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Milton. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Milton, WA has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Milton on your salary?
At $2,152/mo, how Milton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Milton rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Milton. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Milton
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Milton is $2,152/mo as of October 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 decreased 0.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Milton?
Is rent going up or down in Milton?
How does Milton rent compare to other cities in Washington?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Milton?
At $2,152/mo, rent takes ~27% of Milton's median household income ($96,540/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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