Seattle rents remain sky-high while price growth lags national average
Dec 8, 2025, 11:39 AM
A 'For Rent' sign is posted near a home. (Photo: Brandon Bell, Getty Images)
(Photo: Brandon Bell, Getty Images)
Rent has increased considerably across the 50 largest metro areas since 2021, with Seattle remaining as a top city for rent prices despite its lower-than-average increases.
On average, since 2021, the price of a one-bedroom unit has risen by 40.7% across the 50 largest metro areas, according to a LendingTree study, while a two-bedroom unit has risen by 37.3%.
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Seattle ranked in the top 10 for rent increases in the U.S.
In 2021, Seattle’s fair market rent (FMR) for a one-bedroom unit was the seventh-highest in the U.S. at $1,599. Seattle also ranked No. 7 for renting a two-bedroom unit at $1,906 per unit in 2026.
Seattle experienced a 34.2% increase in one-bedroom rent since 2021, slightly below the national average over the span.
For a two-bedroom unit, Seattle’s average rent jumped by 31.2% since 2021. On average, the cost of a two-bedroom unit is now $2,501 in Seattle, nearly a $600 increase from 2021.
Despite Seattle’s lower-than-average rent increases over the years, the city remains among the highest in the U.S. for rent prices.
Other notable West Coast cities rent increases
Some of the highest rent increases from 2021 to 2026 came from several California cities, including Riverside, Fresno, and Sacramento.
A one-bedroom unit in Riverside increased by 60.7% (fourth-highest), Fresno increased by 59.2% (sixth-highest), and Sacramento increased by 54.2% (tenth-highest).
Portland had a relatively low rent increase of 26% (No. 48), with the average one-bedroom unit rising $346 since 2021.
Notably, San Francisco is the second-most expensive city in the U.S. for a one-bedroom unit, though it increased by only 1.8%.
West coast two-bedroom unit FMR increases
The same three California cities led the charge for increasing rent prices on the West Coast, with Riverside, Fresno, and Sacramento all landing in the top 10.
Riverside had a two-bedroom FMR increase of 58.3% (highest), Fresno increased 56.4% (third-highest), and Sacramento increased by 50.8% (ninth-highest).
Portland remained near the bottom of the list at No. 48, with a 25.1% increase in two-bedroom units — up $386 since 2021.
Similar to a one-bedroom unit, San Francisco is the most expensive city to rent a two-bedroom unit, with an average cost of $3,604; however, prices have only increased 1.4% since 2021.
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