RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · WA

Tukwila

Pop. 21,451·65th most expensive in Washington·Rental market data updated monthly for Tukwila, WA
Median rent (all units)
$1,983/mo
Year-over-Year
-4.5%
Month-over-Month
-0.5%
vs US Median
+$18
Stable (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Tukwila rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Tukwila · $1,983
More expensive than 58% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
59/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Tukwila's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,983/mo
Expected by trend
$2,078/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Tukwila's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,761
1 BR
$1,784
2 BR
$1,887
3 BR
$2,324
4 BR+
$2,596
Research median
$1,887/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$23,796/yr
At $1,983/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 4.5% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-4.5% YoY, -0.5% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Tukwila, WA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 25.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
21,451
Median income
$78,381
Median age
35.4
Renters
59.6%
Age distribution
18.7%
30.3%
28.8%
Under 1818.7%
18–3430.3%
35–5428.8%
55–6410.2%
65+12%
Gender
54.4%
45.6%
Male54.4%
Female45.6%
Race & ethnicity
29.9%
17.7%
24%
23.5%
White29.9%
Black17.7%
Hispanic24%
Asian23.5%
Other4.8%
Education (25+)
17.8%
26.8%
30%
25.3%
No HS diploma17.8%
HS diploma26.8%
Some college30%
Bachelor's+25.3%
Housing tenure
40.4%
59.6%
Owner40.4%
Renter59.6%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Tukwila, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,827 → $1,983
up 8.5%
Income
$71,688 → $78,381
up 9.3%
Population
21,545 → 21,451
down 0.4%
Renter share
57.3% → 59.6%
+2.3 pts
Bachelor's+
25.6% → 25.3%
-0.3 pts
Median age
36.1 → 35.4
-0.7 yrs

The median rent in Tukwila, WA stood at $1,827 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,983, reflecting a 8.5% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $71,688 to $78,381 between 2021 and 2024, a 9.3% shift. Renters now make up 59.6% of households, compared with 57.3% five years ago. Taken together, the five-year picture in Tukwila, 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

Discussions about Tukwila

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Tukwila on your salary?

At $1,983/mo, how Tukwila rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Tukwila rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Tukwila

About renting in Tukwila, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Tukwila is $1,983/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,761/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,887/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,784/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,324/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($78,381/yr), Tukwila ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 4.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Tukwila an affordable city for renters?

Tukwila is considered moderate for renters. At $1,983/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($78,381/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Tukwila slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Tukwila?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $79,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,983/mo in Tukwila. The local median household income is $78,381/yr, meaning the typical Tukwila household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Tukwila?

Rent in Tukwila has decreased 4.5% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Tukwila rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Tukwila is middle-of-the-pack for Washington for rent, ranking #65 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,983/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Tukwila?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Tukwila ($1,983/mo): Burien ($1,896/mo), Seatac ($1,968/mo), Kent ($1,978/mo).

What percentage of Tukwila residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 59.6% of Tukwila households are renters, while 40.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Tukwila has a strong rental market.

How does Tukwila rent compare to the national average?

Tukwila's median rent of $1,983/mo is $18 (1%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #65 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $1,983/mo, rent takes ~30% of Tukwila's median household income ($78,381/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Tukwila 30%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Tukwila affordability calculator →
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Tukwila, WA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Tukwila.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.