ZIP Code · WA

ZIP 98221

Part of Anacortes, WA

Pop. 23,562·Skagit County·34th most expensive ZIP in Washington

Median rent (all units)

$2,595/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.9%

Month-over-Month

+0.1%

vs US Median

+$647

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 98221 · $2,595

More expensive than 82% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,948/mo

Rent check

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,340

1 BR

$1,480

2 BR

$1,950

3 BR

$2,710

4 BR+

$2,940

Research median

$1,950/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: September 25, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 98221 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2023.

Past year vs. the rest of Washington

Rent in ZIP 98221 changed +3.9% over the year to August 2026. Across the 194 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.4%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($96,528) is $2,413 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,950); a 3-bedroom is $2,710.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 98221. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$31,140/yr

At $2,595/mo median

Location

CityAnacortes

StateWA

CountySkagit County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.9% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.9% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 98221 (Anacortes, WA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 47% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

23,562

Median income

$96,528

Median age

51.6

Renters

26.8%

Age distribution

16.8%

14.1%

22.6%

14.3%

32.2%

Under 1816.8%

18–3414.1%

35–5422.6%

55–6414.3%

65+32.2%

Gender

49.8%

50.2%

Male49.8%

Female50.2%

Race & ethnicity

86.9%

White86.9%

Black0.7%

Hispanic5.6%

Asian1.4%

Other5.4%

Education (25+)

17.6%

32.4%

47%

No HS diploma3%

HS diploma17.6%

Some college32.4%

Bachelor's+47%

Housing tenure

73.2%

26.8%

Owner73.2%

Renter26.8%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 98221 in Anacortes, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,208 → $2,595

up 17.5%

Income

$82,638 → $96,528

up 16.8%

Population

22,707 → 23,562

up 3.8%

Renter share

29.2% → 26.8%

-2.4 pts

Bachelor's+

44.5% → 47%

+2.5 pts

Median age

50.4 → 51.6

+1.2 yrs

Compared with 2023, rent in ZIP 98221 in Anacortes, WA has increased by $387 per month, settling near $2,595 after starting the period at $2,208. Census figures show median household income at $96,528 today, compared with $82,638 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 22,707 to 23,562 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.8% change. About 26.8% of households rent today, against 29.2% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 44.5% to 47%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 98221

Last updated: September 25, 2026

ZIP code 98221 covers Anacortes, WA. The median rent here is $2,595/mo as of September 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,480/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,950/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($96,528/yr), ZIP 98221 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 98221?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $104,000/year (about $50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,595/mo in ZIP 98221. The local median household income is $96,528/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 98221?

Rent in ZIP 98221 has risen 3.9% over the past year as of August 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2023.

How does ZIP 98221 compare to other ZIPs in Washington?

ZIP 98221 is one of the pricier among Washington ZIP codes for rent, ranking #34 of 211 at $2,595/mo. Over the year to August 2026, rent in ZIP 98221 changed +3.9%, against a typical +2.4% across the 194 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks.