The Washington rental market
Washington tracks median rent across 109 cities, ranging from Longview at $1,297/mo to Sammamish at $3,350/mo. The state average of $2,109/mo runs about 9% above the national median of $1,932/mo.
Across Washington cities, rents are rising, changing an average of +2.9% over the past year. 76 of 115 tracked cities are priced above the national median, while 39 fall below it. The largest rental markets are Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma.
What the numbers show
Rent fell in 7 of 109 Washington cities Zillow tracks over the year to September 2026, and rose in the rest.
48 cities are at the highest rent in at least three years of Zillow records. See the list.
Among cities with 15,000+ residents, Sammamish ($3,350/mo) costs 2.6 times as much as Longview ($1,297/mo).
Across 60 Washington cities with five or more years of data, asking rents usually bottom out in January and peak in July, a typical swing of 2.4%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent grew faster than median household income in 17 of 38 Washington cities with both figures. See where the gap is widest.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Washington cities, as of September 2026. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates).
Washington rent questions
What is the average rent in Washington?
The average median rent across 109 tracked cities in Washington is $2,109/mo, about 9% above the national median of $1,932/mo.
Which Washington city has the highest rent?
Sammamish has the highest median rent in Washington at $3,350/mo.
Which Washington city has the most affordable rent?
Longview is the most affordable tracked city in Washington, with a median rent of $1,297/mo.
Are rents rising or falling in Washington?
Across Washington cities, median rents are rising, changing an average of +2.9% over the past year.
How does Washington rent compare to the rest of the country?
76 of 115 tracked Washington cities have a median rent above the national median of $1,932/mo, and 39 fall below it.
What are the largest rental markets in Washington?
By population, the largest rental markets in Washington are Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma. Each has its own rent data, trends, and ZIP-level breakdowns on RentDataNow.