Cost of Living in Renton
Renton's housing runs $657,750 (median) to $720,080 (average, Zillow-modeled), both down modestly year-over-year, with a real, meaningfully high overall rent of $2,270/month (16% above the national average) -- layered with no state income tax and a 10.5% combined sales tax.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreHousing: a real, disclosed median-vs-average gap
Renton's median home price ran $657,750 (down 0.12% year-over-year), while Zillow's average (mean) home value ran meaningfully higher at $720,080 -- but declining faster, down 5.4% year-over-year. Both figures are disclosed rather than reconciled to one number, reflecting a real methodology gap between median and mean.
Rent: genuinely high relative to the national average
Renton's overall average rent ran $2,270/month as of June 2026 -- 16% above the national average, meaningfully higher than several other Washington markets covered in this dataset. Rental houses ran a considerably higher median ($3,299) than apartments ($2,104).
Washington's no income tax and Renton's 10.5% combined sales tax
Washington levies no state personal income tax (see taxes for the statewide capital gains excise tax nuance). Renton's own combined sales tax runs 10.5% -- among the higher rates in this Washington build, comparable to Tacoma's.
Property tax: King County's countywide rate applies
Renton sits in King County and shares the countywide average effective property tax rate of approximately 0.83% -- the highest of Washington's 39 counties, driven by the county's elevated home values.
Key takeaways
- Renton's median home price ($657,750) and Zillow-modeled average ($720,080) both ran down modestly year-over-year, with a real methodology gap between them.
- Overall rent ran $2,270/month as of June 2026 -- 16% above the national average.
- Washington's no state income tax pairs with Renton's 10.5% combined sales tax, among the higher rates in this Washington build.
- King County's ~0.83% effective property tax rate -- the state's highest -- applies to Renton.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Renton overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert