City Report · WA

Spanaway

Pop. 34,019·9th most expensive in Washington·Spanaway rents are up 5.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,841/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.5%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
+$876
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Spanaway · $2,841
More expensive than 88% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
68/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% below what Spanaway's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,841/mo
Expected by trend
$3,121/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Spanaway's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,590
1 BR
$1,800
2 BR
$2,210
3 BR
$3,100
4 BR+
$3,540
Research median
$2,210/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
$34,092/yr
At $2,841/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.5% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Spanaway, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 16.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
34,019
Median income
$98,251
Median age
33.7
Renters
26.3%
Age distribution
27.6%
25.5%
25.1%
Under 1827.6%
18–3425.5%
35–5425.1%
55–6411.2%
65+10.6%
Gender
52.3%
47.7%
Male52.3%
Female47.7%
Race & ethnicity
51.2%
18.4%
13.8%
White51.2%
Black9.7%
Hispanic18.4%
Asian6.9%
Other13.8%
Education (25+)
34.5%
39.4%
16.6%
No HS diploma9.5%
HS diploma34.5%
Some college39.4%
Bachelor's+16.6%
Housing tenure
73.7%
26.3%
Owner73.7%
Renter26.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Spanaway, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,188 → $2,841
up 29.8%
Income
$81,018 → $98,251
up 21.3%
Population
34,670 → 34,019
down 1.9%
Renter share
29.1% → 26.3%
-2.8 pts
Bachelor's+
12.2% → 16.6%
+4.4 pts
Median age
31.7 → 33.7
+2.0 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Spanaway, WA has climbed by $653 per month, settling near $2,841 after starting the period at $2,188. Median household income grew from $81,018 to $98,251 between 2021 and 2024, a 21.3% shift. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 8.5 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 34,670 to 34,019 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.9% change. About 26.3% of households rent today, against 29.1% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 12.2% to 16.6%. Taken together, the five-year picture in Spanaway, 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 Spanaway rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Spanaway on your salary?

At $2,841/mo, how Spanaway rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Spanaway rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Spanaway

About renting in Spanaway, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Spanaway is $2,841/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,590/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,210/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,800/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,100/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($98,251/yr), Spanaway ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Spanaway an affordable city for renters?

Spanaway is considered moderate for renters. At $2,841/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($98,251/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Spanaway slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Spanaway?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $114,000/year (~$55/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,841/mo in Spanaway. The local median household income is $98,251/yr, meaning the typical Spanaway household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Spanaway?

Rent in Spanaway has increased 5.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Spanaway rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Spanaway is one of the pricier cities in Washington for rent, ranking #9 out of 110 tracked cities at $2,841/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Spanaway?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Spanaway ($2,841/mo): Parkland ($1,730/mo), Midland ($2,029/mo), Clover Creek ($2,077/mo).

What percentage of Spanaway residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 26.3% of Spanaway households are renters, while 73.7% are owner-occupied. Spanaway leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Spanaway rent compare to the national average?

Spanaway's median rent of $2,841/mo is $876 (45%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #9 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $2,841/mo, rent takes ~35% of Spanaway's median household income ($98,251/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Spanaway 35%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Spanaway, WA

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