King County, WA at a glance
Median household income
$124,746$10,396 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in King County, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in King County, WA? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Seattle-Bellevue, WA HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $2,074 | $24,888 | $82,960 | 20% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $2,146 | $25,752 | $85,840 | 20.6% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $2,501 | $30,012 | $100,040 | 24.1% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $3,272 | $39,264 | $130,880 | 31.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $3,847 | $46,164 | $153,880 | 37% |
What a typical income covers in King County, WA
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $124,746 a year ($10,396 a month before tax).
What $124,746 leaves after Washington taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Washington tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in Washington
Living in King County, WA: common questions
What is the median household income in King County, WA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in King County, WA is $124,746 per year (approximately $10,396 per month).
What is the average rent in King County, WA?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $2,074 for a studio, $2,146 for one bedroom, $2,501 for two, $3,272 for three and $3,847 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is King County, WA expensive to live in?
Prices there run 11.1% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 111.1, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in King County, WA?
To keep a $2,501 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $100,040 a year, or $8,337 a month. That is 80% of what the typical household in King County, WA earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in King County, WA?
On the local median income of $124,746 ($10,396 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $5,198 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $3,119 for everything else and $2,079 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,501 takes 48% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in King County, WA?
Homes in Washington paid 14.9¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $134. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.