How much does it cost to rent in Tumwater, WA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Tumwater, WA is $1,922. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Tumwater cheaper than other Washington cities?

Tumwater is among the more affordable cities in Washington, ranking #75 out of 110 cities at $1,922/mo.

When was Tumwater rent data last updated?

Tumwater rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · WA

Tumwater

Name: Average Rent Prices in Tumwater, WA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 26,956·75th most expensive in Washington·Rental market data updated monthly for Tumwater, WA

Median rent (all units)

$1,922/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.3%

Month-over-Month

-0.1%

vs US Median

-$43

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Tumwater · $1,922

More expensive than 54% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

54/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 2% below what Tumwater's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,922/mo

Expected by trend

$1,963/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Tumwater's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,808

1 BR

$1,496

2 BR

$1,737

3 BR

$2,387

4 BR+

$2,824

Research median

$1,737/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

$23,064/yr

At $1,922/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (2.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.3% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Tumwater, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 42.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

26,956

Median income

$95,212

Median age

37.1

Renters

37.5%

Age distribution

20.8%

24.8%

27.4%

15.6%

Under 1820.8%

18–3424.8%

35–5427.4%

55–6411.4%

65+15.6%

Gender

47.7%

52.3%

Male47.7%

Female52.3%

Race & ethnicity

69.3%

White69.3%

Black4.8%

Hispanic9.3%

Asian7.3%

Other9.3%

Education (25+)

18.2%

35.7%

42.9%

No HS diploma3.2%

HS diploma18.2%

Some college35.7%

Bachelor's+42.9%

Housing tenure

62.5%

37.5%

Owner62.5%

Renter37.5%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Tumwater, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,727 → $1,922

up 11.3%

Income

$77,849 → $95,212

up 22.3%

Population

24,855 → 26,956

up 8.5%

Renter share

43.6% → 37.5%

-6.1 pts

Bachelor's+

38.1% → 42.9%

+4.8 pts

Median age

35.4 → 37.1

+1.7 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Tumwater, WA has shifted from $1,727 to $1,922, up 11.3% since 2022. On the earnings side, the typical household in Tumwater, WA now reports about $95,212, up from $77,849 in 2021. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Tumwater, WA adding about 2,101 residents over the five-year window, up 8.5% on net. The renter share has eased from 43.6% to 37.5%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 38.1% to 42.9% across the same window. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Tumwater, WA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Tumwater

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View Tumwater rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Tumwater on your salary?

At $1,922/mo, how Tumwater rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $105,818/yr · Rent = 21.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $75,130/yr · Rent = 30.7% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $86,542/yr · Rent = 26.7% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $154,683/yr · Rent = 14.9% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $197,646/yr · Rent = 11.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $70,347/yr · Rent = 32.8% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $63,515/yr · Rent = 36.3% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $78,288/yr · Rent = 29.5% income

affordable

By apartment size

Tumwater rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Tumwater

About renting in Tumwater, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Tumwater is $1,922/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,808/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,737/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,496/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,387/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($95,212/yr), Tumwater ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Tumwater an affordable city for renters?

Tumwater is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,922/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($95,212/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Tumwater falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Tumwater?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,922/mo in Tumwater. The local median household income is $95,212/yr, meaning the typical Tumwater household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Tumwater?

Rent in Tumwater has increased 2.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Tumwater rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Tumwater is one of the more affordable cities in Washington for rent, ranking #75 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,922/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Tumwater?

Centralia is nearby and more affordable at $1,300/mo, which is $622 less than Tumwater.

What percentage of Tumwater residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 37.5% of Tumwater households are renters, while 62.5% are owner-occupied. Tumwater leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Tumwater rent compare to the national average?

Tumwater's median rent of $1,922/mo is $43 (2%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #75 out of 110 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

24%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,922/mo, rent takes ~24% of Tumwater's median household income ($95,212/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Tumwater 24%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the Tumwater affordability calculator →

Nearby cities