Median household income in Washington is $98,141 and median rent is $1,760 a month, per Census 2020 to 2024 estimates. Compare at least three written offers on APR and total cost, verify the lender's license with the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, and never pay a fee before funding.
On this page
- Washington by the numbers
- What the numbers mean for Washington borrowers
- Largest places in Washington
- Other sizable places in Washington
- Counties with the most residents
- How Washington earns a living
- More context for Washington budgets
- Checking a lender in Washington
- Can Washington residents use the questionnaire?
- Local guides in Washington
- Frequently asked questions
Washington by the numbers
Here is Washington next to the U.S. on income, housing, work and commuting, with a rank among the 50 states plus DC for each line. Source: ACS five-year estimates for 2020 to 2024.
| Measure | Washington | United States | Rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $98,141 | $80,734 | 8th |
| Households earning under $35,000 | 16% | 21% | 47th |
| Share of households at $100,000+ | 49% | 41% | 8th |
| People below the poverty line | 9.9% | 12.5% | 44th |
| Unemployment rate (ACS) | 5.1% | 5.2% | 22nd |
| Rent, median gross (monthly) | $1,760 | $1,413 | 6th |
| Rent-burdened renters (30%+) | 50% | 51% | 20th |
| Home value, median | $564,600 | $332,700 | 4th |
| Homes owner-occupied | 64% | 65% | 41st |
| Cost-burdened owners with a mortgage | 30% | 28% | 12th |
| Home value to income ratio | 5.8x | 4.1x | 5th |
| Workers commuting 45+ minutes | 17% | 17% | 13th |
| Working from home | 20% | 15% | 3rd |
| Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree | 40% | 36% | 11th |
| Age, median | 38.3 | 38.9 | 36th |
| Gini index (inequality) | 0.469 | 0.483 | 23rd |
What the numbers mean for Washington borrowers
In Washington, 49% of households report $100,000 or more in income and 16% report under $35,000, against 41% and 21% for the country. If your household sits under $30,000 a year, start with credit unions, creditor hardship plans and nonprofit counseling before a personal loan.
A middle-of-the-road Washington household brings in $98,141 a year. That is 22% above the $80,734 national median and good for 8th place. Income is the first thing a lender verifies, so have recent pay stubs or tax returns ready before you compare offers.
Poverty affects 9.9% of Washington residents (U.S. 12.5%), and the five-year average unemployment rate was 5.1%. Five-year estimates smooth out booms and slumps, so they describe the economy's shape more than its current mood.
With a median age of 38.3 and 40% of adults holding a four-year degree, Washington has a Gini inequality index of 0.469, ranking 23rd from most to least unequal.
Largest places in Washington
Population, income and housing costs for the 12 largest places in Washington (ACS 2020 to 2024); linked names open a local guide.
| Place | County | Population | Median income | Rent (median) | Typical home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | King County | 754,195 | $123,860 | $2,030 | $938,600 |
| Spokane | Spokane County | 230,293 | $70,064 | $1,215 | $363,500 |
| Tacoma | Pierce County | 222,758 | $85,884 | $1,676 | $479,600 |
| Vancouver | Clark County | 195,300 | $81,338 | $1,702 | $462,400 |
| Bellevue | King County | 151,847 | $165,576 | $2,572 | $1,340,300 |
| Kent | King County | 135,603 | $92,302 | $1,909 | $587,800 |
| Everett | Snohomish County | 111,845 | $83,512 | $1,740 | $565,300 |
| Spokane Valley | Spokane County | 106,365 | $74,042 | $1,353 | $382,300 |
| Renton | King County | 105,317 | $100,432 | $1,998 | $672,600 |
| Federal Way | King County | 99,493 | $86,909 | $1,797 | $552,800 |
| Yakima | Yakima County | 96,961 | $62,815 | $1,117 | $297,600 |
| Bellingham | Whatcom County | 93,438 | $66,755 | $1,577 | $627,500 |
Washington has 26 places with 50,000 or more residents and 133 with at least 10,000. Among places of 20,000 or more, median household income runs from $46,812 in Pullman to $239,690 in Sammamish. The highest median rent among them is $3,152 in Mill Creek East, the lowest $1,062 in Pullman.
Other sizable places in Washington
From Kirkland (92,621 residents) down to Lynnwood (40,110).
| City or town | Residents | Median income | Rent (median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkland | 92,621 | $150,414 | $2,401 |
| Auburn | 85,676 | $97,884 | $1,786 |
| Kennewick | 85,295 | $73,576 | $1,240 |
| Pasco | 79,575 | $85,586 | $1,227 |
| Redmond | 77,353 | $162,560 | $2,409 |
| Marysville | 73,002 | $103,974 | $1,997 |
| South Hill | 68,025 | $113,130 | $2,088 |
| Sammamish | 66,463 | $239,690 | $2,857 |
| Lakewood | 62,937 | $74,720 | $1,525 |
| Richland | 62,753 | $95,813 | $1,468 |
| Shoreline | 61,431 | $112,751 | $1,985 |
| Lacey | 57,737 | $90,625 | $1,870 |
| Olympia | 55,951 | $81,302 | $1,599 |
| Burien | 51,513 | $91,318 | $1,782 |
| Bothell | 49,610 | $140,427 | $2,346 |
| Bremerton | 44,830 | $74,940 | $1,641 |
| Puyallup | 42,746 | $97,826 | $1,812 |
| Edmonds | 42,735 | $122,449 | $1,903 |
| Lake Stevens | 40,253 | $122,336 | $2,224 |
| Lynnwood | 40,110 | $77,704 | $1,742 |
Measured as a year of median rent against median household income, housing weighs most in Lynnwood (27%) and least in Sammamish (14%) among these 20 places.
Counties with the most residents
Population and housing costs for the 16 biggest of 39 counties in Washington.
| County | Population | Median household income | Median rent | Typical home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 2,287,171 | $124,746 | $2,092 | $859,900 |
| Pierce County | 930,319 | $99,564 | $1,806 | $526,600 |
| Snohomish County | 844,430 | $111,246 | $1,949 | $696,000 |
| Spokane County | 549,056 | $78,582 | $1,283 | $410,700 |
| Clark County | 516,959 | $97,536 | $1,748 | $522,900 |
| Thurston County | 299,067 | $96,563 | $1,736 | $480,300 |
| Kitsap County | 277,881 | $104,158 | $1,822 | $555,100 |
| Yakima County | 257,152 | $70,656 | $1,109 | $310,100 |
| Whatcom County | 230,503 | $81,784 | $1,555 | $585,800 |
| Benton County | 212,905 | $89,874 | $1,306 | $407,800 |
| Skagit County | 131,328 | $89,263 | $1,536 | $545,100 |
| Cowlitz County | 112,360 | $76,531 | $1,206 | $397,500 |
| Grant County | 101,799 | $73,267 | $1,116 | $299,500 |
| Franklin County | 98,902 | $86,714 | $1,198 | $379,300 |
| Island County | 86,836 | $90,551 | $1,662 | $593,300 |
| Lewis County | 85,154 | $74,796 | $1,097 | $385,800 |
Median income by county stretches from $55,406 (Whitman County) up to $124,746 (King County). A statewide average hides that spread, which is why the same loan can be comfortable in one county and a stretch in the next.
How Washington earns a living
Where Washington residents work, by the four largest industries, compared with the U.S. (ACS 2020 to 2024).
| Industry | Share of Washington workers | National share | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education, health care and social assistance | 22% | 24% | -1.8 pts |
| Professional, scientific and administrative services | 15% | 13% | +2.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 12% | 11% | +0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9% | 10% | -0.9 pts |
Relative to the nation, professional, scientific and administrative services is overrepresented in Washington (15% vs 13%). Pay rhythm differs by industry. Shift and seasonal work swings month to month, so size a payment to your slowest normal month.
More context for Washington budgets
Housing for renters: median rent of $1,760 (6th of 51), with 50% of renting households putting 30 percent or more of income toward it. If rent already takes a third of your pay, a new payment needs a stress test: could you make it in a month with a surprise bill?
On commuting, Washington ranks 13th: 17% of workers need 45 minutes or more to get to work (U.S. 17%). Fuel, tires and insurance belong in the budget before you size any loan payment.
Washington is a middle-of-the-pack state for homeownership: 64% of occupied homes are owned, against 65% nationally. The median value of $564,600 equals 5.8 years of median income. Among owners with a mortgage, 30% spend 30 percent or more of income on housing (U.S.: 28%).
Checking a lender in Washington
License checks come first. Washington's banking agency, per the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, is the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, and many consumer lenders also show their state licenses on NMLS Consumer Access.
- NMLS Consumer Access shows many lenders' licenses state by state.
- An upfront fee to "secure" a loan is a warning sign the FTC describes here.
- Complaints can go to the state agency and to the CFPB.
Can Washington residents use the questionnaire?
Partner availability depends on the state. For Washington, the questionnaire checks coverage at the location step and never asks for contact details when no partner can help.
Local guides in Washington
We publish 12 local guides for Washington, each built on Census data for that place.
Frequently asked questions
Which agency licenses lenders in Washington?
In Washington, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions is the banking agency named by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. NMLS Consumer Access lists many lenders' licenses, and the CFPB accepts complaints from every state.
What is the median household income in Washington?
The Census Bureau puts it at $98,141, which places Washington 8th of 51 (U.S.: $80,734).
How much do Washington renters pay?
Median gross rent is $1,760 a month, and 50% of renter households spend 30 percent or more of income on rent (ACS 2020 to 2024). Nationally the figures are $1,413 and 51%.
What share of Washington households earn $100,000 or more?
49% of households, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 estimates, while 16% earn under $35,000. Lenders look at your own documented income, not these shares.