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City Report · WA

Ocean Shores

Pop. 7,302·108th most expensive in Washington·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$1,339/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-27.1%
vs US Median
-$623
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Ocean Shores · $1,339
More affordable than 86% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,339/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$54,000/yr
Local median income
$58,202/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Ocean Shores's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

2 BR
$1,144
3 BR
$2,142
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,144/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,339 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
$16,068/yr
At $1,339/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -27.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Ocean Shores, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 23.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,302
Median income
$58,202
Median age
63.9
Renters
16.7%
Age distribution
12.4%
26.2%
46.5%
Under 187.2%
18–347.7%
35–5412.4%
55–6426.2%
65+46.5%
Gender
50.7%
49.3%
Male50.7%
Female49.3%
Race & ethnicity
86%
White86%
Hispanic4.7%
Asian2.7%
Other6.6%
Education (25+)
27.4%
41.3%
23.4%
No HS diploma7.9%
HS diploma27.4%
Some college41.3%
Bachelor's+23.4%
Housing tenure
83.3%
16.7%
Owner83.3%
Renter16.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Ocean Shores, WA has changed in 5 years

Income
$52,255 → $58,202
up 11.4%
Population
6,637 → 7,302
up 10.0%
Renter share
20% → 16.7%
-3.3 pts
Bachelor's+
19.2% → 23.4%
+4.2 pts
Median age
63.1 → 63.9
+0.8 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $52,255 to $58,202 across the same window, up 11.4% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 6,637 to 7,302 between 2021 and 2024, a 10.0% change. About 16.7% of households rent today, against 20% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 19.2% to 23.4%.

Community

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View Ocean Shores rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Ocean Shores on your salary?

At $1,339/mo, how Ocean Shores rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Ocean Shores rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Ocean Shores

About renting in Ocean Shores, WA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Ocean Shores is $1,339/mo as of August 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $1,144/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,142/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($58,202/yr), Ocean Shores ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Ocean Shores an affordable city for renters?

Ocean Shores is considered affordable for renters. At $1,339/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($58,202/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Ocean Shores falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Ocean Shores?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $54,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,339/mo in Ocean Shores. The local median household income is $58,202/yr, meaning the typical Ocean Shores household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Ocean Shores?

Rent in Ocean Shores has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Ocean Shores rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Ocean Shores is one of the more affordable cities in Washington for rent, ranking #108 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,339/mo.

What percentage of Ocean Shores residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 16.7% of Ocean Shores households are renters, while 83.3% are owner-occupied. Ocean Shores leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Ocean Shores rent compare to the national average?

Ocean Shores's median rent of $1,339/mo is $623 (32%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #108 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,339/mo, rent takes ~28% of Ocean Shores's median household income ($58,202/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Ocean Shores 28%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Ocean Shores affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Ocean Shores, WA

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