Rentals in Washington

What to Know Before Renting in Washington

With most activity surrounding the Seattle metro, Washington rentals are dispersed throughout suburban corridors, college towns, coastal communities, and rural inland regions. Demand comes from the fast-growing tech market, along with popular universities such as the University of Washington and Washington State University. This corner of the Pacific Northwest also attracts renters from higher-cost markets like California.

Washington rentals have a notably wide price gap. The Puget Sound metro and Eastside waterfront communities have the most expensive houses and apartments for rent in Washington. Meanwhile, the areas with the lowest costs of living are throughout central and eastern Washington. Whether you're looking for an urban high-rise or a spacious home in the Tri-Cities, Rentler lists rental properties across Washington, updated daily when new inventory hits the market.

How to Find Affordable Rentals in Washington

The best places to find affordable homes and cheap apartments for rent in Washington are east of the Cascades. Yakima, Moses Lake, Kennewick, and similar cities are significantly less expensive than the western metros and coastlines. By looking outside of job hubs and tourist destinations, renters can save $500–$1,500/mo on rent alone. These areas are outside of Washington's main employment corridor, so they're better suited to renters without a daily commute. Retirees or remote and hybrid workers are a great fit for the most affordable apartments in Washington.

Frequently Asked Questions by Renters in Washington

What is the average rent in Washington?

In the most expensive markets, such as Bellevue, both one-bedroom and two-bedroom units carry considerably higher prices. The least expensive apartments and houses for rent in Washington are in Yakima, with much lower prices for both one-bedroom and two-bedroom units.

Are there pet-friendly rentals in Washington?

Due to its outdoor lifestyle and suburban housing stock, pet acceptance is particularly high in Washington. Landlords are most accommodating when they're renting out single-family homes with yards. However, renter competition is higher for listings in dense urban areas that accept pets. Whether it's houses, duplexes, or pet-friendly apartments, Washington landlords typically have breed or weight restrictions. Be sure to check the specific rules before paying application fees. But remember, if you have a service animal or an emotional support animal (ESA), these limitations may not apply.

Is there senior housing available in Washington?

Age-restricted houses are most common in the state's big metros, Vancouver, and Olympia. From 55+ apartments to assisted living developments with on-site healthcare, these retirement-focused Washington rentals often have waitlists. To speed up the process of finding senior housing, Washington renters should consider multiple communities and sign up for waitlists early. When comparing facilities, be sure to think about costs, services, and climates.

Can I find furnished or short-term rentals in Washington?

Besides the big cities, Bellingham, Redmond, and Everett have rentals with furniture and short-term leases. When it comes to month-to-month agreements and furnished rentals, Washington's demand comes from traveling tech workers, healthcare professionals, and university personnel. To easily identify these Washington rentals and save time, use Rentler's 'furnished amenities' and 'lease length' filters.

Can I find luxury apartments in Washington?

Luxury Washington rentals are typically in high-income neighborhoods in Seattle and the Eastside tech hubs. South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, and the Kirkland waterfront region all have new construction units near urban amenities and premium features, like lake views, high-end architecture, and walkable access. Whether it's a condo, home, or Washington townhouse rental, most luxury Washington units are new builds with high rents. Rentler's 'year built' filter and price sorting tool make finding luxury listings quick and simple.