Rents are 7% below what Renton's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $2,252 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
January. Asking rents in Renton usually run 1.4% below trend in January and 1.4% above it in July, about $63 a month apart at today's median. Based on 11 years of data.
Rent in Renton is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2015.
Rent in Renton changed +3.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 97 Washington cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent in Renton rose 26.8% while median household income rose 29.2% ($77,739 to $100,432). Income kept ahead of rent.
Rent in Renton is 28.1% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 13 months in a row, and rose in 12 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($100,432) is $2,511 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($2,296); a 2-bedroom is $2,674.
The priciest of 5 ZIP codes in Renton, 98058 ($2,362/mo), costs 9% more than the cheapest, 98057 ($2,175/mo).
Tukwila, 4 miles away, rents for 12% less ($1,990/mo), about $3,100 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Renton. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Renton, WA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 39.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Renton, WA has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Renton, WA paid around $1,771 a month. That figure now sits near $2,252, up 27.2% from the 2021 baseline. Household income in the area moved from $84,374 to $100,432 across the same window, up 19.0% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has eased from 47.3% to 45.6%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 35.2% to 39.5% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Renton, WA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about Renton
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Renton on your salary?
At $2,252/mo, how Renton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Renton rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Renton. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Renton
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Renton is $2,252/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,238/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,674/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,296/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,528/mo.
At 27% of local median household income ($100,432/yr), Renton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Renton?
Is rent going up or down in Renton?
When is the cheapest time to rent in Renton?
Has rent outpaced income in Renton?
Which Renton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Renton rent compare to other cities in Washington?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Renton?
At $2,252/mo, rent takes ~27% of Renton's median household income ($100,432/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Renton.
No discussions yet.