ZIP Code · WA

ZIP 98030

Part of Kent, WA

Pop. 38,523·King County·132nd most expensive ZIP in Washington

Median rent (all units)

$1,936/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.5%

Month-over-Month

-0.7%

vs US Median

+$4

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 98030 · $1,936

More expensive than 58% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,890

1 BR

$1,960

2 BR

$2,280

3 BR

$2,980

4 BR+

$3,510

Research median

$2,280/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

Cheapest month to sign

December. Asking rents in ZIP 98030 usually run 1.3% below trend in December and 1.3% above it in July, about $50 a month apart at today's median. Based on 6 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 98030 is 1.1% below its high of $1,958 in April 2026, at $1,936 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of Washington

Rent in ZIP 98030 changed +1.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.5%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($91,761) is $2,294 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,280); a 3-bedroom is $2,980.

Rank in Kent

2nd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in Kent.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 98030. 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.

Annual cost

$23,232/yr

At $1,936/mo median

Location

CityKent

StateWA

CountyKing County

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.5% YoY, -0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 98030 (Kent, WA) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 27% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

38,523

Median income

$91,761

Median age

35.1

Renters

47.8%

Age distribution

23.4%

26.5%

27.8%

Under 1823.4%

18–3426.5%

35–5427.8%

55–6411.5%

65+10.9%

Gender

51.6%

48.4%

Male51.6%

Female48.4%

Race & ethnicity

42.6%

14.7%

23%

White42.6%

Black11.2%

Hispanic14.7%

Asian23%

Other8.6%

Education (25+)

13.1%

27.8%

32.1%

27%

No HS diploma13.1%

HS diploma27.8%

Some college32.1%

Bachelor's+27%

Housing tenure

52.2%

47.8%

Owner52.2%

Renter47.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 98030 in Kent, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,471 → $1,936

up 31.6%

Income

$77,521 → $91,761

up 18.4%

Population

39,526 → 38,523

down 2.5%

Renter share

49.6% → 47.8%

-1.8 pts

Bachelor's+

25.1% → 27%

+1.9 pts

Median age

34.5 → 35.1

+0.6 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in ZIP 98030 in Kent, WA has climbed from $1,471 to $1,936, a 31.6% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $91,761 today, compared with $77,521 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 2.5% since 2021, moving from about 39,526 residents to roughly 38,523. Renters now make up 47.8% of households, compared with 49.6% five years ago. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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About renting in ZIP 98030

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 98030 covers Kent, WA. The median rent here is $1,936/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,960/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,280/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($91,761/yr), ZIP 98030 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 98030?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (about $37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,936/mo in ZIP 98030. The local median household income is $91,761/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 98030?

Rent in ZIP 98030 has risen 1.5% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 1.1% below its high of $1,958 in April 2026.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 98030?

Asking rents in ZIP 98030 are usually lowest in December, about 1.3% below their yearly trend, and highest in July, about 1.3% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $50 a month. This pattern comes from 6 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 98030 compare to other ZIPs in Washington?

ZIP 98030 is in the middle among Washington ZIP codes for rent, ranking #132 of 207 at $1,936/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 98030 changed +1.5%, against a typical +2.5% across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks.