ZIP Code · WA

ZIP 98168

Part of Seatac, WA

Pop. 35,528·King County·131st most expensive ZIP in Washington

Median rent (all units)

$1,943/mo

Year-over-Year

+0.6%

Month-over-Month

+0.1%

vs US Median

+$11

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 98168 · $1,943

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

$1,850

1 BR

$1,910

2 BR

$2,230

3 BR

$2,920

4 BR+

$3,430

Research median

$2,230/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

March. Asking rents in ZIP 98168 usually run 1.5% below trend in March and 1.8% above it in July, about $64 a month apart at today's median. Based on 5 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 98168 is 0.7% below its high of $1,956 in May 2026, at $1,943 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of Washington

Rent in ZIP 98168 changed +0.6% 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 6 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($88,083) is $2,202 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,910); a 2-bedroom is $2,230.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 98168. 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

$23,316/yr

At $1,943/mo median

Location

CitySeatac

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 (+0.6% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 98168 (Seatac, WA) is roughly split between renters and owners, 24.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

35,528

Median income

$88,083

Median age

Renters

46.2%

Age distribution

20.1%

24.8%

29.6%

13.6%

Under 1820.1%

18–3424.8%

35–5429.6%

55–6411.9%

65+13.6%

Gender

52.6%

47.4%

Male52.6%

Female47.4%

Race & ethnicity

38.3%

26.1%

22.3%

White38.3%

Black10.3%

Hispanic26.1%

Asian22.3%

Other3%

Education (25+)

21.6%

23.8%

30.2%

24.4%

No HS diploma21.6%

HS diploma23.8%

Some college30.2%

Bachelor's+24.4%

Housing tenure

53.8%

46.2%

Owner53.8%

Renter46.2%

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

2022 vs 2026

How ZIP 98168 in Seatac, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,739 → $1,943

up 11.7%

Income

$71,977 → $88,083

up 22.4%

Population

34,614 → 35,528

up 2.6%

Renter share

44.4% → 46.2%

+1.8 pts

Bachelor's+

23.8% → 24.4%

+0.6 pts

The median rent in ZIP 98168 in Seatac, WA stood at $1,739 in 2022 and currently runs about $1,943, reflecting a 11.7% increase over the period. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 98168 in Seatac, WA now reports about $88,083, up from $71,977 in 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 2.6% since 2021, moving from about 34,614 residents to roughly 35,528. Renters now make up 46.2% of households, compared with 44.4% five years ago. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 98168 in Seatac, WA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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About renting in ZIP 98168

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 98168 covers Seatac, WA. The median rent here is $1,943/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,910/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,230/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($88,083/yr), ZIP 98168 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 98168?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (about $38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,943/mo in ZIP 98168. The local median household income is $88,083/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 98168?

Rent in ZIP 98168 has risen 0.6% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 0.7% below its high of $1,956 in May 2026.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 98168?

Asking rents in ZIP 98168 are usually lowest in March, about 1.5% below their yearly trend, and highest in July, about 1.8% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $64 a month. This pattern comes from 5 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 98168 compare to other ZIPs in Washington?

ZIP 98168 is in the middle among Washington ZIP codes for rent, ranking #131 of 207 at $1,943/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 98168 changed +0.6%, against a typical +2.5% across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks.