City Report · WA

Spokane

Pop. 230,293·101st most expensive in Washington·Rental market data updated monthly for Spokane, WA
Median rent (all units)
$1,513/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.0%
Month-over-Month
+1.0%
vs US Median
-$449
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Spokane · $1,513
More affordable than 75% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
78/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 14% below what Spokane's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,513/mo
Expected by trend
$1,756/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Spokane's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$974
1 BR
$1,096
2 BR
$1,410
3 BR
$1,949
4 BR+
$2,283
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,410/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,513 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
$18,156/yr
At $1,513/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (4.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.0% YoY, +1.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Spokane, WA is majority owner-occupied, 33.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
230,293
Median income
$70,064
Median age
37.2
Renters
41.2%
Age distribution
20.4%
26.5%
25.2%
16.6%
Under 1820.4%
18–3426.5%
35–5425.2%
55–6411.3%
65+16.6%
Gender
50.1%
49.9%
Male50.1%
Female49.9%
Race & ethnicity
79.8%
White79.8%
Black3%
Hispanic8.4%
Asian2.6%
Other6.2%
Education (25+)
23.6%
36.5%
33.9%
No HS diploma6%
HS diploma23.6%
Some college36.5%
Bachelor's+33.9%
Housing tenure
58.8%
41.2%
Owner58.8%
Renter41.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Spokane, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,180 → $1,513
up 28.2%
Income
$56,977 → $70,064
up 23.0%
Population
225,709 → 230,293
up 2.0%
Renter share
43.1% → 41.2%
-1.9 pts
Bachelor's+
32.4% → 33.9%
+1.5 pts
Median age
36.4 → 37.2
+0.8 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Spokane, WA has shifted from $1,180 to $1,513, up 28.2% since 2021. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $56,977 in 2021 to $70,064 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Spokane, WA adding about 4,584 residents over the five-year window, up 2.0% on net. The renter share has eased from 43.1% to 41.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Spokane, WA market of 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Spokane on your salary?

At $1,513/mo, how Spokane rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Spokane rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Spokane

About renting in Spokane, WA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Spokane is $1,513/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $974/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,410/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,096/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,949/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($70,064/yr), Spokane ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Spokane an affordable city for renters?

Spokane is considered affordable for renters. At $1,513/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($70,064/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Spokane falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Spokane?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $61,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,513/mo in Spokane. The local median household income is $70,064/yr, meaning the typical Spokane household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Spokane?

Rent in Spokane has increased 4.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Spokane neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Spokane are 99201 ($1,153/mo), 99204 ($1,204/mo), and 99207 ($1,478/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Spokane is $1,513/mo.

How does Spokane rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Spokane is one of the more affordable cities in Washington for rent, ranking #101 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,513/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Spokane?

Cheney is nearby and more affordable at $1,474/mo, which is $39 less than Spokane.

What percentage of Spokane residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41.2% of Spokane households are renters, while 58.8% are owner-occupied. Spokane leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Spokane rent compare to the national average?

Spokane's median rent of $1,513/mo is $449 (23%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #101 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,513/mo, rent takes ~26% of Spokane's median household income ($70,064/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Spokane, WA

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