ZIP Code · WA

ZIP 98198

Part of Des Moines, WA

Pop. 40,463·King County·95th most expensive ZIP in Washington

Median rent (all units)

$2,068/mo

Year-over-Year

+6.4%

Month-over-Month

+1.0%

vs US Median

+$136

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 98198 · $2,068

More expensive than 65% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,810

1 BR

$1,870

2 BR

$2,180

3 BR

$2,850

4 BR+

$3,350

Research median

$2,180/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

November. Asking rents in ZIP 98198 usually run 0.9% below trend in November and 0.8% above it in May, about $35 a month apart at today's median. Based on 7 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 98198 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2019.

Past year vs. the rest of Washington

Rent in ZIP 98198 changed +6.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.5%.

Since before the pandemic

Rent in ZIP 98198 is 37.7% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 7 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($86,239) is $2,156 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,870); a 2-bedroom is $2,180.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 98148, 4 miles away, rents for 13% less ($1,796/mo), about $3,300 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 98198. 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

$24,816/yr

At $2,068/mo median

Location

CityDes Moines

StateWA

CountyKing County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 6.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+6.4% YoY, +1.0% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 98198 (Des Moines, WA) is roughly split between renters and owners, 30.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

40,463

Median income

$86,239

Median age

36.1

Renters

45.2%

Age distribution

22.3%

25.6%

26.5%

15.8%

Under 1822.3%

18–3425.6%

35–5426.5%

55–649.8%

65+15.8%

Gender

50.1%

49.9%

Male50.1%

Female49.9%

Race & ethnicity

41.9%

14.4%

22.5%

13.7%

White41.9%

Black14.4%

Hispanic22.5%

Asian13.7%

Other7.5%

Education (25+)

12.3%

26.3%

30.6%

30.8%

No HS diploma12.3%

HS diploma26.3%

Some college30.6%

Bachelor's+30.8%

Housing tenure

54.8%

45.2%

Owner54.8%

Renter45.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 98198 in Des Moines, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,571 → $2,068

up 31.6%

Income

$69,833 → $86,239

up 23.5%

Population

38,919 → 40,463

up 4.0%

Renter share

46.5% → 45.2%

-1.3 pts

Bachelor's+

27.9% → 30.8%

+2.9 pts

Median age

37 → 36.1

-0.9 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in ZIP 98198 in Des Moines, WA has increased from $1,571 to $2,068, a 31.6% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $86,239 today, compared with $69,833 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 4.0% since 2021, moving from about 38,919 residents to roughly 40,463. College-educated residents now make up 30.8% of adults here, versus 27.9% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

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About renting in ZIP 98198

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 98198 covers Des Moines, WA. The median rent here is $2,068/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,870/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,180/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($86,239/yr), ZIP 98198 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 98198?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $83,000/year (about $40/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,068/mo in ZIP 98198. The local median household income is $86,239/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 98198?

Rent in ZIP 98198 has risen 6.4% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2019.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 98198?

Asking rents in ZIP 98198 are usually lowest in November, about 0.9% below their yearly trend, and highest in May, about 0.8% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $35 a month. This pattern comes from 7 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 98198 compare to other ZIPs in Washington?

ZIP 98198 is in the middle among Washington ZIP codes for rent, ranking #95 of 207 at $2,068/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 98198 changed +6.4%, against a typical +2.5% across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks.