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City Report · WA

Poulsbo

Pop. 12,165·21st most expensive in Washington·Poulsbo rents are up 8.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,617/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.0%
Month-over-Month
+3.5%
vs US Median
+$652
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Poulsbo · $2,617
More expensive than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
41/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% above what Poulsbo's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$2,617/mo
Expected by trend
$2,501/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Poulsbo's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,530
1 BR
$1,700
2 BR
$2,230
3 BR
$2,910
4 BR+
$3,350
Research median
$2,230/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$31,404/yr
At $2,617/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.0% YoY, +3.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Poulsbo, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 49.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,165
Median income
$116,250
Median age
43.3
Renters
41%
Age distribution
18.3%
21.9%
27.1%
21.6%
Under 1818.3%
18–3421.9%
35–5427.1%
55–6411.2%
65+21.6%
Gender
48.6%
51.4%
Male48.6%
Female51.4%
Race & ethnicity
77.9%
White77.9%
Black2.3%
Hispanic10.9%
Asian2.4%
Other6.6%
Education (25+)
20.8%
26.7%
49.2%
No HS diploma3.2%
HS diploma20.8%
Some college26.7%
Bachelor's+49.2%
Housing tenure
59%
41%
Owner59%
Renter41%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Poulsbo, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,124 → $2,617
up 23.2%
Income
$79,248 → $116,250
up 46.7%
Population
11,652 → 12,165
up 4.4%
Renter share
42.2% → 41%
-1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
43.1% → 49.2%
+6.1 pts
Median age
43.8 → 43.3
-0.5 yrs

Since 2022, the typical rent in Poulsbo, WA has climbed from $2,124 to $2,617, a 23.2% change over five years. Median household income rose from $79,248 to $116,250 between 2021 and 2024, a 46.7% shift. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 4.4% since 2021, moving from about 11,652 residents to roughly 12,165. College-educated residents now make up 49.2% of adults here, versus 43.1% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Poulsbo, WA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Poulsbo on your salary?

At $2,617/mo, how Poulsbo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Poulsbo rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Poulsbo

About renting in Poulsbo, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Poulsbo is $2,617/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,530/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,230/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,700/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,910/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($116,250/yr), Poulsbo ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Poulsbo an affordable city for renters?

Poulsbo is considered affordable for renters. At $2,617/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($116,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Poulsbo falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Poulsbo?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $105,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,617/mo in Poulsbo. The local median household income is $116,250/yr, meaning the typical Poulsbo household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Poulsbo?

Rent in Poulsbo has increased 8.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Poulsbo rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Poulsbo is one of the pricier cities in Washington for rent, ranking #21 out of 110 tracked cities at $2,617/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Poulsbo?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Poulsbo ($2,617/mo): Bremerton ($1,934/mo), Silverdale ($1,991/mo), Port Orchard ($2,135/mo).

What percentage of Poulsbo residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41% of Poulsbo households are renters, while 59% are owner-occupied. Poulsbo leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Poulsbo rent compare to the national average?

Poulsbo's median rent of $2,617/mo is $652 (33%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #21 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,617/mo, rent takes ~27% of Poulsbo's median household income ($116,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Poulsbo 27%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Poulsbo, WA

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