ZIP Code · WA

ZIP 98021

Part of Bothell, WA

Pop. 35,631·Snohomish County·8th most expensive ZIP in Washington

Median rent (all units)

$3,134/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.7%

Month-over-Month

+1.1%

vs US Median

+$1,202

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 98021 · $3,134

More expensive than 92% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,510

1 BR

$2,600

2 BR

$3,030

3 BR

$3,960

4 BR+

$4,660

Research median

$3,030/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 98021 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Washington

Rent in ZIP 98021 changed +5.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.5%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 7 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($183,786) is $4,595 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($3,960); a 4-bedroom is $4,660.

Rank in Bothell

3rd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in Bothell.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 98011, 3 miles away, rents for 29% less ($2,221/mo), about $11,000 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 98021. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$37,608/yr

At $3,134/mo median

Location

CityBothell

StateWA

CountySnohomish County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 5.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.7% YoY, +1.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 98021 (Bothell, WA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 62.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

35,631

Median income

$183,786

Median age

38.1

Renters

18.9%

Age distribution

27.4%

16.9%

33.5%

12.8%

Under 1827.4%

18–3416.9%

35–5433.5%

55–649.5%

65+12.8%

Gender

49.8%

50.2%

Male49.8%

Female50.2%

Race & ethnicity

56.7%

29.4%

White56.7%

Black1.4%

Hispanic7.7%

Asian29.4%

Other4.8%

Education (25+)

12.3%

21.8%

62.7%

No HS diploma3.2%

HS diploma12.3%

Some college21.8%

Bachelor's+62.7%

Housing tenure

81.1%

18.9%

Owner81.1%

Renter18.9%

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

2022 vs 2026

How ZIP 98021 in Bothell, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,629 → $3,134

up 19.2%

Income

$137,534 → $183,786

up 33.6%

Population

34,359 → 35,631

up 3.7%

Renter share

21.1% → 18.9%

-2.2 pts

Bachelor's+

56.3% → 62.7%

+6.4 pts

Since 2022, the typical rent in ZIP 98021 in Bothell, WA has increased from $2,629 to $3,134, a 19.2% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $183,786 today, compared with $137,534 five years earlier. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 3.7% since 2021, moving from about 34,359 residents to roughly 35,631. Renters now make up 18.9% of households, compared with 21.1% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 62.7% of adults here, versus 56.3% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2022.

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About renting in ZIP 98021

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 98021 covers Bothell, WA. The median rent here is $3,134/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,600/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,030/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($183,786/yr), ZIP 98021 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 98021?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $125,000/year (about $60/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,134/mo in ZIP 98021. The local median household income is $183,786/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 98021?

Rent in ZIP 98021 has risen 5.7% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2022.

How does ZIP 98021 compare to other ZIPs in Washington?

ZIP 98021 is one of the pricier among Washington ZIP codes for rent, ranking #8 of 207 at $3,134/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 98021 changed +5.7%, against a typical +2.5% across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks.