Rents are 4% below what University Place'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 $1,916 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
December. Asking rents in University Place usually run 1.2% below trend in December and 1.2% above it in April, about $46 a month apart at today's median. Based on 6 years of data.
Rent in University Place is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2020.
Rent in University Place changed +4.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 97 Washington cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.
Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($99,031) is $2,476 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,905); a 3-bedroom is $2,670.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for University Place. 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.
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Who lives here
University Place, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 42.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How University Place, WA has changed in 5 years
The median rent in University Place, WA stood at $1,467 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,916, reflecting a 30.6% increase over the period. On the earnings side, the typical household in University Place, WA now reports about $99,031, up from $84,673 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.0% since 2021, moving from about 34,565 residents to roughly 34,911. Renters now make up 42.8% of households, compared with 41% five years ago. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and University Place, WA reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in University Place on your salary?
At $1,916/mo, how University Place rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
University Place rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in University Place. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in University Place
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in University Place is $1,916/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,365/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,905/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,550/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,670/mo.
At 23% of local median household income ($99,031/yr), University Place ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does University Place rent compare to other cities in Washington?
At $1,916/mo, rent takes ~23% of University Place's median household income ($99,031/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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