MONEY

Seattle rent keeps climbing while national growth stalls, report finds

Jan 26, 2026, 5:01 AM | Updated: 3:11 pm

Seattle renters...

A view of apartments in Seattle. (Photo: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest)

(Photo: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest)

While rent stalled nationally, Seattle prices continued to climb, with the Pacific region leading the U.S.

The median rent for a three-bedroom single-family home in Seattle reached $3,695 in 2025, a 4.1% increase from 2024, according to a new report from Rentometer.

Since 2021, Seattle rents have risen 19.4%, showing long-term pressure.

“In a year defined by broad stabilization, Seattle highlights how large coastal cities can continue to see rent growth, even as surrounding markets and much of the country pause,” Isabelle Lapsley, a Rentometer spokesperson, stated via email.

Pacific region leads U.S.

Extending beyond Seattle, the Pacific region saw the highest rent growth nationally in 2025, but Washington’s results were mixed.

Bellevue rents rose 2.7% to $3,800, and Renton climbed 3.2% to $3,200, while Tacoma ($2,595), Kent ($2,999), and Vancouver ($2,495) remained flat.

Rentometer noted the Pacific overtook the Midwest and Northeast, which led in prior years. Rent growth in the Southeast, Southwest, and Rocky Mountains was mainly flat.

National average stalls

The Pacific region’s rent growth stood in stark contrast to the national average.

“Across the U.S., single-family rent growth slowed to a near standstill in 2025, with the national median holding flat at $2,100,” Lapsley stated.

Nationally, rent growth was modest, particularly in smaller cities and suburbs. But a few metros broke from the norm — Lincoln, Nebraska, and Staten Island, New York, saw the largest increases, with Chicago, Illinois, and San Francisco, California, also posting significant gains.

Follow Julia Dallas on X. Read her stories here. Submit news tips here.

sign up for the 425 Magazine newsletter

Money

spokane complex fire cliff mass climate change...

Luke Duecy

Smoke damage could leave surviving Spokane homes with hidden losses, consumer advocate warns

Consumer advocates are warning Spokane homeowners whose houses remain standing may still face costly damage from toxic smoke.

7 days ago

Sheriff (KSO) King County...

James Lynch

‘We are building safer communities’: King County receives $15M grant to strengthen crisis response, prevent gun violence

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced Tuesday that King County received a $15 million grant.

8 days ago

wa electricity bill PSE...

MyNorthwest Staff

Washington AG Nick Brown fights back against PSE’s proposed 29% electric, 20% gas rate hikes

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is pushing back against proposed utility rate hikes from Puget Sound Energy (PSE).

12 days ago

costco settlement emails...

MyNorthwest Staff

Did you get emails from Costco? You may be owed money from a $14M settlement

Those who shop at Costco in Washington could be entitled to a share of a $14 million compensation payout, but the window to claim it ends soon.

15 days ago

goodwill portland wilt chamberlain warm-up jacket...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

Portland teen’s $3 Wilt Chamberlain NBA Final jacket found at Goodwill sells for nearly $90,000

Earlier this month, 19-year-old Quinn Brown found a 1972 game-worn NBA Finals Wilt Chamberlain jacket at a Goodwill in Portland. The item sold for $89,600. 

22 days ago

goodwill portland wilt chamberlain warm-up jacket...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

Portland teen finds $250K Wilt Chamberlain NBA Finals warm-up jacket at Goodwill for $3

A Portland teenager discovered a 54-year-old piece of sports memorabilia worth as much as $250,000 while rifling through a local Goodwill — and he bought it for $3.07.

26 days ago

Seattle rent keeps climbing while national growth stalls, report finds