ZIP Code · WA

ZIP 98942

Part of Selah, WA

Pop. 18,871·Yakima County·180th most expensive ZIP in Washington

Median rent (all units)

$1,652/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.7%

Month-over-Month

+0.1%

vs US Median

-$280

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 98942 · $1,652

More affordable than 62% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,240

1 BR

$1,250

2 BR

$1,640

3 BR

$2,280

4 BR+

$2,500

Research median

$1,640/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 98942 changed +5.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.5%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($84,646) is $2,116 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,640); a 3-bedroom is $2,280.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 98942. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$19,824/yr

At $1,652/mo median

Location

CitySelah

StateWA

CountyYakima County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (5.7% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.7% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 98942 (Selah, WA) is majority owner-occupied, 24.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

18,871

Median income

$84,646

Median age

36.3

Renters

25.8%

Age distribution

24.6%

23.9%

21.9%

18.8%

Under 1824.6%

18–3423.9%

35–5421.9%

55–6410.9%

65+18.8%

Gender

48%

52%

Male48%

Female52%

Race & ethnicity

71.6%

21.3%

White71.6%

Hispanic21.3%

Asian1.1%

Other5.8%

Education (25+)

14.6%

32.1%

28.7%

24.6%

No HS diploma14.6%

HS diploma32.1%

Some college28.7%

Bachelor's+24.6%

Housing tenure

74.2%

25.8%

Owner74.2%

Renter25.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 98942 in Selah, WA has changed in 5 years

Income

$71,175 → $84,646

up 18.9%

Population

17,949 → 18,871

up 5.1%

Renter share

29.2% → 25.8%

-3.4 pts

Bachelor's+

28% → 24.6%

-3.4 pts

Median age

37.3 → 36.3

-1.0 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $71,175 to $84,646 across the same window, up 18.9% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 17,949 to 18,871 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.1% change. About 25.8% 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 slipped from 28% to 24.6%.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 98942

About renting in ZIP 98942

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 98942 covers Selah, WA. The median rent here is $1,652/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,250/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,640/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($84,646/yr), ZIP 98942 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 98942?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $66,000/year (about $32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,652/mo in ZIP 98942. The local median household income is $84,646/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 98942?

Rent in ZIP 98942 has risen 5.7% over the past year.

How does ZIP 98942 compare to other ZIPs in Washington?

ZIP 98942 is one of the more affordable among Washington ZIP codes for rent, ranking #180 of 207 at $1,652/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 98942 changed +5.7%, against a typical +2.5% across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks.