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ZIP Code · WA

ZIP 98121

Part of Seattle, WA
Pop. 21,166·King County·29th most expensive ZIP in Washington
Median rent (all units)
$2,661/mo
Year-over-Year
-4.2%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
+$696
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 98121 · $2,661
More expensive than 83% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,033
1 BR
$2,105
2 BR
$2,452
3 BR
$3,206
4 BR+
$3,770
Research median
$2,452/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$31,932/yr
At $2,661/mo median
Location
StateWA
CountyKing County
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 4.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-4.2% YoY, +0.0% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 98121 (Seattle, WA) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 78.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
21,166
Median income
$152,019
Median age
33.2
Renters
77.4%
Age distribution
53.5%
24.7%
Under 181.9%
18–3453.5%
35–5424.7%
55–649.3%
65+10.6%
Gender
54.4%
45.6%
Male54.4%
Female45.6%
Race & ethnicity
46%
36.8%
White46%
Black4%
Hispanic6.6%
Asian36.8%
Other6.5%
Education (25+)
14.3%
78.9%
No HS diploma1.9%
HS diploma4.9%
Some college14.3%
Bachelor's+78.9%
Housing tenure
22.6%
77.4%
Owner22.6%
Renter77.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 98121 in Seattle, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,291 → $2,661
up 16.2%
Income
$135,823 → $152,019
up 11.9%
Population
21,010 → 21,166
up 0.7%
Renter share
73.6% → 77.4%
+3.8 pts
Bachelor's+
78.5% → 78.9%
+0.4 pts
Median age
34.2 → 33.2
-1.0 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in ZIP 98121 in Seattle, WA has shifted from $2,291 to $2,661, up 16.2% since 2021. Census figures show median household income at $152,019 today, compared with $135,823 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has risen from 73.6% to 77.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 98121

About renting in ZIP 98121

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 98121 covers Seattle, WA. The median rent here is $2,661/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,105/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,452/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($152,019/yr), ZIP 98121 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 4.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 98121?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 98121 (Seattle, WA) is $2,661. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 98121 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 98121's median rent of $2,661/mo is $696 (35%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 98121 compare to other ZIPs in Washington?

ZIP 98121 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in Washington, ranking #29 out of 209 ZIPs tracked at $2,661/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 98121?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $106,000/year (~$51/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,661/mo in ZIP 98121. The local median household income is $152,019/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 98121?

Rent in ZIP 98121 has decreased 4.2% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Is ZIP 98121 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 98121 is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,661/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($152,019/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 98121 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 98121 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 77.4% of ZIP 98121 households are renters, while 22.6% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 98121 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 98121 compare to the rest of Seattle?

ZIP 98121 is pricier than Seattle as a whole. At $2,661/mo, it's $437 above the Seattle citywide median of $2,224/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 98121 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 98121 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,661/mo, rent takes ~21% of ZIP 98121's median household income ($152,019/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 98121 21%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Schools nearby

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