City Report · WA

Monroe

Pop. 19,755·27th most expensive in Washington·Monroe rents are up 7.7% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,430/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.7%
Month-over-Month
+2.2%
vs US Median
+$468
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Monroe · $2,430
More expensive than 77% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
47/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Monroe's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,430/mo
Expected by trend
$2,396/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Monroe's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,130
1 BR
$2,180
2 BR
$2,540
3 BR
$3,350
4 BR+
$3,900
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,540/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,430 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
$29,160/yr
At $2,430/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.7% YoY, +2.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Monroe, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 30% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
19,755
Median income
$110,461
Median age
35.7
Renters
28.5%
Age distribution
21.4%
27.1%
28.1%
12.9%
Under 1821.4%
18–3427.1%
35–5428.1%
55–6412.9%
65+10.5%
Gender
55.6%
44.4%
Male55.6%
Female44.4%
Race & ethnicity
68%
17.6%
White68%
Black3.6%
Hispanic17.6%
Asian9.7%
Other1.1%
Education (25+)
26.5%
34.8%
30%
No HS diploma8.7%
HS diploma26.5%
Some college34.8%
Bachelor's+30%
Housing tenure
71.5%
28.5%
Owner71.5%
Renter28.5%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Monroe, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,911 → $2,430
up 27.2%
Income
$94,349 → $110,461
up 17.1%
Population
19,879 → 19,755
down 0.6%
Renter share
30.6% → 28.5%
-2.1 pts
Bachelor's+
20.1% → 30%
+9.9 pts
Median age
34.7 → 35.7
+1.0 yrs

Compared with 2022, rent in Monroe, WA has climbed by $519 per month, settling near $2,430 after starting the period at $1,911. On the earnings side, the typical household in Monroe, WA now reports about $110,461, up from $94,349 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 10.1 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. About 28.5% of households rent today, against 30.6% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 20.1% to 30%. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Monroe, WA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Monroe on your salary?

At $2,430/mo, how Monroe rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Monroe rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Monroe

About renting in Monroe, WA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Monroe is $2,430/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,130/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,540/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,180/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,350/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($110,461/yr), Monroe ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Monroe an affordable city for renters?

Monroe is considered affordable for renters. At $2,430/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($110,461/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Monroe falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Monroe?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $97,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,430/mo in Monroe. The local median household income is $110,461/yr, meaning the typical Monroe household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Monroe?

Rent in Monroe has increased 7.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Monroe rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Monroe is one of the pricier cities in Washington for rent, ranking #27 out of 110 tracked cities at $2,430/mo.

What percentage of Monroe residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28.5% of Monroe households are renters, while 71.5% are owner-occupied. Monroe leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Monroe rent compare to the national average?

Monroe's median rent of $2,430/mo is $468 (24%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #27 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,430/mo, rent takes ~26% of Monroe's median household income ($110,461/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Monroe 26%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Monroe affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Monroe, WA

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