Seattle, WA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: February 19, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Seattle is $2,242, a 0.72% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,226.
Studio Apartments at $1,644 offer the most budget-friendly option with 454 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 666 square feet for $2,197, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $2,851 offer 981 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,220 sq ft) for $3,477, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Seattle, WA
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,242 | 697 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,644 | 454 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,197 | 666 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,851 | 981 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,477 | 1,220 sq. ft. |
Seattle, WA rent trends
What's the typical rent budget in Seattle, WA?
The largest share of rentals in Seattle, WA (32%) fall between $1,501-$2,000 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Seattle, WA?
196,825 or 56% of the households in Seattle, WA are renter-occupied while 156,194 or 44% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Seattle?
Wedgwood $1,637/month
South Des Moines $1,668/month
Bitter Lake $1,673/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $2,242/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Seattle?
Ravenna $2,814/month
Belltown $2,836/month
Seattle Central Business District $3,090/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Seattle, WA By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Seattle Central Business District | $3,090 |
| Belltown | $2,836 |
| Ravenna | $2,814 |
| South Lake Union | $2,747 |
| Central Waterfront | $2,698 |
| Pike Market | $2,651 |
| Pioneer Square | $2,588 |
| Westlake | $2,587 |
| Green Lake | $2,563 |
| Fremont | $2,403 |
| East Queen Anne | $2,398 |
| Wallingford | $2,388 |
| Crown Hill | $2,345 |
| Eastlake | $2,288 |
| South Delridge | $2,265 |
| Ballard | $2,248 |
| Genesee | $2,232 |
| West Woodland | $2,225 |
| Lower Queen Anne | $2,221 |
| Atlantic | $2,199 |
| West Queen Anne | $2,183 |
| North City | $2,175 |
| First Hill | $2,170 |
| Columbia City | $2,163 |
| North Admiral | $2,163 |
| North Queen Anne | $2,163 |
| Hillwood | $2,156 |
| Lawton Park | $2,151 |
| Stevens | $2,144 |
| Madison Park | $2,143 |
| Meridian Park | $2,130 |
| Maple Leaf | $2,123 |
| Greenwood | $2,120 |
| Broadway | $2,107 |
| University District | $2,107 |
| Fairmount Park | $2,102 |
| Minor | $2,099 |
| Yesler Terrace | $2,095 |
| Roosevelt | $2,074 |
| North Delridge | $2,056 |
| North College Park | $2,048 |
| Parkwood | $2,016 |
| Junction | $2,015 |
| Interbay | $2,002 |
| Haller Lake | $1,982 |
| Whittier Heights | $1,980 |
| Echo Lake | $1,963 |
| Portage Bay | $1,957 |
| Roxhill | $1,956 |
| Pinehurst | $1,948 |
| North Beacon Hill | $1,921 |
| High Point | $1,911 |
| Victory Heights | $1,838 |
| Richmond Highlands | $1,811 |
| Olympic Hills | $1,800 |
| Mann | $1,796 |
| Cedar Park | $1,795 |
| Brighton | $1,784 |
| Broadview | $1,776 |
| Central Des Moines | $1,773 |
| Ballinger | $1,706 |
| Loyal Heights | $1,704 |
| International District | $1,700 |
| Bitter Lake | $1,673 |
| South Des Moines | $1,668 |
| Wedgwood | $1,637 |
Seattle | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Atlantic is 2% lower than in Ballard
Atlantic rent is 2% lower than Seattle average
Ballard rent is 1% higher than Seattle average
How Seattle Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Seattle | $2,242 |
| Tacoma | $1,744 |
| Pullman | $1,424 |
| Vancouver | $1,737 |
| Spokane | $1,397 |
| Everett | $1,849 |
| Bellevue | $2,716 |
| Kent | $1,907 |
| Renton | $2,122 |
| Kirkland | $2,510 |
| Lynnwood | $2,094 |
| Federal Way | $1,881 |
| Redmond | $2,533 |
| Bothell | $2,272 |
| Auburn, WA | $1,850 |
| Edmonds, WA | $1,903 |
| Issaquah, WA | $2,743 |
| Bremerton, WA | $1,697 |
| Mountlake Terrace, WA | $2,006 |
| SeaTac, WA | $1,746 |
| Shoreline, WA | $2,007 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Seattle apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.