Home/Rankings/Rent vs. income/Washington

Where rent has outpaced income in Washington since 2019

Washington cities ranked by rent growth minus household income growth from 2019 to 2024 (Zillow yearly average rent, Census 5-year income). Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Bellingham ranks first, with rent up 41.9% against household income up 25% since 2019.
Across all 37 cities on this list, the median rent is $2,122/mo.

Data as of September 2026. Change in Zillow's yearly average rent from 2019 to 2024, minus the change in Census median household income over the same years. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)

Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordable Most expensive Rent falling Rent rising Best rent/income Most rent-burdened Record-high rent Seasonal swings Rent vs. income

37 cities

Rank	City	Gap (points)	Rent since 2019	Income since 2019	Median rent
01	BellinghamWA Pop. 93KCompare →	+16.8	+41.9%	+25.0%	$1,908/mo
02	RichlandWA Pop. 63KCompare →	+11.8	+35.1%	+23.3%	$1,697/mo
03	MukilteoWA Pop. 21KCompare →	+11.7	+34.1%	+22.4%	$2,355/mo
04	Lake StevensWA Pop. 40KCompare →	+8.2	+39.2%	+31.0%	$2,982/mo
05	CamasWA Pop. 27KCompare →	+8.0	+34.5%	+26.5%	$2,221/mo
06	LynnwoodWA Pop. 40KCompare →	+7.2	+29.1%	+21.9%	$2,122/mo
07	MarysvilleWA Pop. 73KCompare →	+6.7	+35.9%	+29.2%	$2,499/mo
08	SpokaneWA Pop. 230KCompare →	+6.4	+45.7%	+39.3%	$1,483/mo
09	LaceyWA Pop. 58KCompare →	+5.9	+39.8%	+33.9%	$2,075/mo
10	SpanawayWA Pop. 34KCompare →	+5.2	+42.3%	+37.1%	$2,733/mo
11	PuyallupWA Pop. 43KCompare →	+2.7	+36.3%	+33.6%	$2,199/mo
12	Federal WayWA Pop. 99KCompare →	+2.6	+31.6%	+29.0%	$1,944/mo
13	OlympiaWA Pop. 56KCompare →	+2.5	+38.3%	+35.8%	$1,969/mo
14	Moses LakeWA Pop. 26KCompare →	+2.3	+48.1%	+45.8%	$1,451/mo
15	Oak HarborWA Pop. 24KCompare →	+1.7	+38.4%	+36.7%	$1,967/mo
16	RedmondWA Pop. 77KCompare →	+0.3	+23.2%	+23.0%	$2,577/mo
17	KirklandWA Pop. 93KCompare →	-0.4	+28.0%	+28.4%	$2,619/mo
18	Spokane ValleyWA Pop. 106KCompare →	-0.6	+41.9%	+42.5%	$1,525/mo
19	KentWA Pop. 136KCompare →	-1.5	+26.5%	+28.1%	$1,958/mo
20	AuburnWA Pop. 86KCompare →	-2.1	+32.4%	+34.4%	$2,032/mo
21	VancouverWA Pop. 195KCompare →	-2.2	+29.6%	+31.8%	$1,803/mo
22	Maple ValleyWA Pop. 28KCompare →	-2.4	+31.5%	+33.9%	$2,985/mo
23	RentonWA Pop. 105KCompare →	-2.4	+26.8%	+29.2%	$2,252/mo
24	Bonney LakeWA Pop. 22KCompare →	-2.6	+38.4%	+41.0%	$2,627/mo
25	ShorelineWA Pop. 61KCompare →	-2.9	+27.0%	+29.9%	$1,971/mo
26	EverettWA Pop. 112KCompare →	-4.8	+32.7%	+37.4%	$1,919/mo
27	TacomaWA Pop. 223KCompare →	-5.2	+32.5%	+37.7%	$1,773/mo
28	SammamishWA Pop. 66KCompare →	-6.4	+31.4%	+37.8%	$3,350/mo
29	BurienWA Pop. 52KCompare →	-6.6	+28.9%	+35.5%	$1,748/mo
30	BremertonWA Pop. 45KCompare →	-7.2	+35.0%	+42.2%	$1,879/mo
31	LakewoodWA Pop. 63KCompare →	-8.0	+35.8%	+43.8%	$1,734/mo
32	EdmondsWA Pop. 43KCompare →	-8.5	+28.8%	+37.2%	$2,278/mo
33	BothellWA Pop. 50KCompare →	-11.0	+29.5%	+40.5%	$2,523/mo
34	BellevueWA Pop. 152KCompare →	-12.5	+25.0%	+37.5%	$2,759/mo
35	IssaquahWA Pop. 40KCompare →	-13.8	+27.2%	+41.0%	$2,929/mo
36	SeattleWA Pop. 754KCompare →	-20.7	+13.5%	+34.2%	$2,227/mo
37	Mercer IslandWA Pop. 25KCompare →	-23.0	+25.5%	+48.5%	$2,796/mo