ZIP Code · WA

ZIP 98532

Part of Chehalis, WA

Pop. 27,135·Lewis County·191st most expensive ZIP in Washington

Median rent (all units)

$1,511/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.6%

Month-over-Month

Stable

vs US Median

-$421

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 98532 · $1,511

More affordable than 72% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$880

1 BR

$970

2 BR

$1,270

3 BR

$1,680

4 BR+

$1,820

Research median

$1,270/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

Past year vs. the rest of Washington

Rent in ZIP 98532 changed +2.6% 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 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($89,910) is $2,248 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,820).

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 98532. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$18,132/yr

At $1,511/mo median

Location

CityChehalis

StateWA

CountyLewis County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (2.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.6% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 98532 (Chehalis, WA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 25.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

27,135

Median income

$89,910

Median age

41.1

Renters

20.8%

Age distribution

23.2%

17%

27.4%

12.2%

20.3%

Under 1823.2%

18–3417%

35–5427.4%

55–6412.2%

65+20.3%

Gender

52.1%

47.9%

Male52.1%

Female47.9%

Race & ethnicity

81.8%

White81.8%

Black0.7%

Hispanic9.7%

Asian1.4%

Other6.4%

Education (25+)

29.5%

38.8%

25.2%

No HS diploma6.5%

HS diploma29.5%

Some college38.8%

Bachelor's+25.2%

Housing tenure

79.2%

20.8%

Owner79.2%

Renter20.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 98532 in Chehalis, WA has changed in 5 years

Income

$72,906 → $89,910

up 23.3%

Population

26,100 → 27,135

up 4.0%

Renter share

25.6% → 20.8%

-4.8 pts

Bachelor's+

21.8% → 25.2%

+3.4 pts

Household income in the area moved from $72,906 to $89,910 across the same window, up 23.3% versus 2021. Census counts show ZIP 98532 in Chehalis, WA adding about 1,035 residents over the five-year window, up 4.0% on net. The renter share has eased from 25.6% to 20.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 21.8% to 25.2% across the same window.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 98532

About renting in ZIP 98532

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 98532 covers Chehalis, WA. The median rent here is $1,511/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $970/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,270/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($89,910/yr), ZIP 98532 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 98532?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (about $29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,511/mo in ZIP 98532. The local median household income is $89,910/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 98532?

Rent in ZIP 98532 has risen 2.6% over the past year.

How does ZIP 98532 compare to other ZIPs in Washington?

ZIP 98532 is one of the more affordable among Washington ZIP codes for rent, ranking #191 of 207 at $1,511/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 98532 changed +2.6%, against a typical +2.5% across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks.