salaryRent is higher than in 83% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $96,680 a year. That is $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Washington cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Washington. It is number 143 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Renton?
Share of households by yearly income. 38.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Renton
| Size | Renton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,727 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,849 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,292 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,816 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,252 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Renton overall?
Everyday prices in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area are 11% above the U.S. average (index 111.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Renton
Life in Renton
What jobs pay in Renton
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $167,290 | 17.3% |
| Software Developer | $167,280 | 17.3% |
| Lawyer | $164,980 | 17.6% |
| Pharmacist | $162,870 | 17.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $160,090 | 18.1% |
| Operations Manager | $146,030 | 19.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $133,740 | 21.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $133,690 | 21.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $128,260 | 22.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $116,480 | 24.9% |
| Police Officer | $115,120 | 25.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $102,920 | 28.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $102,170 | 28.4% |
| Electrician | $101,780 | 28.5% |
| Firefighter | $101,090 | 28.7% |
| Accountant | $99,370 | 29.2% |
| Plumber | $95,230 | 30.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $85,690 | 33.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $80,100 | 36.2% |
| Carpenter | $76,410 | 38.0% |
| Truck Driver | $71,240 | 40.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $61,500 | 47.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $57,280 | 50.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $53,550 | 54.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $51,990 | 55.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,740 | 60.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $47,730 | 60.8% |
| Cashier | $44,210 | 65.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $42,080 | 68.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Renton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,250 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $672,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $67,260 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Renton, WA?
Renting in Renton costs a median of about $2,417 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Renton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $96,680 a year, or $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Renton cheap or expensive?
Renton is rated OK: rent takes 26.8% of the typical household income of $108,316. It ranks 143rd cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Renton?
The median homeowner in Renton pays $5,969 a year in property taxes, about 0.89% of the median home value.
Is Renton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Renton?
The median home value in Renton is $672,600, about 6.2 times the typical yearly household income.
105,317 people live in Renton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.