How to Find an Apartment in Seattle, WA [2024]

Seattle has many nicknames, including Emerald City, Rain City, Jet City, and, of course, the Coffee Capital of the World. The city offers flourishing farmers’ markets, dynamic neighborhood culture, and highly-rated universities, not to mention the world-famous coffee. So it’s no wonder why it’s in the top five fastest-growing cities in the country. If the city has ever piqued your interest, you’re not alone.

Figuring out how to find an apartment in Seattle on your own can be time-consuming. Thankfully, we’re here to help by providing you with a guide to simplify the process and ensure you find the best rental possible.

Here’s how you can find the best apartment amenities and neighborhoods in Seattle.

Do you think believing is seeing? Check out what YouTuber Chris Jae learned about finding housing in Seattle, and why he loves Apartment List for discovering Seattle rentals:

How to Find an Apartment in Seattle

How Much Is Rent in Seattle?

As of May 2024, the overall median rent in Seattle is $2,031, which is up slightly (1.3% over last year). One-bedroom rent costs around $1,895, and two-bedrooms are around $2,365. This makes Seattle number sixteen among the nation's most expensive cities for renters.

1. Finding the Right Seattle Neighborhood

Seattle residents have an unbeatable quality of life, with the perfect blend of rich culture and history with a metropolitan mix. The city boasts a wide assortment of housing options, from newly constructed luxury apartments to historic homes. The best Seattle neighborhoods offer a wide range of amenities, and choosing will come down to a matter of personal opinion. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find the quality of life in Seattle.

Here's where to get started to narrow down your options! Please note that rent averages reflect current (May 2024) listings on our website.

2. How to Find Luxury Apartments in Seattle

Belltown

• Average one-bedroom rent: $3,074
• Map of Belltown

Another popular Seattle neighborhood is Belltown, filled with high-end, high-rise condos. In Belltown, you’ll have countless options for live music and happy hours, including the Crocodile. Belltown also appeals to the artsy renters, with independent boutiques and galleries with outdoor artwork galore.

Another major draw for newcomers to Belltown is living along the Puget Sound with nearby beach access. But, even with a coastal feel, you’re just steps away from Downtown and fashion-forward shops like Alhambra. Don’t forget about the great eats and drinks in Belltown as well, including Shiro’s Sushi and Navy Strength.

Queen Anne

• Average one-bedroom rent: $2,915
• Map of Queen Anne

Queen Anne, Seattle, is a historic and vibrant community filled with city views and century-old homes. Renters feel right at home with their pick of old and new apartment complexes. Locals and visitors often gather at Ship Canal Trail for an after-work jog or bike ride or at Kerry Park to see the Space Needle in the distance.

You’ll find more stately homes dating back to the 1800s in Upper Queen Anne. On the other hand, Lower Queen Anne is an excellent choice for more modern apartments filled with young professionals and families. It's also an incredible location from which to view the iconic Seattle skyline.

If you’re interested in finding out more, check out the Queen Anne neighborhood guide.

Fremont

• Average one-bedroom rent: $2,473
• Map of Fremont

One of the most popular Seattle neighborhoods is Fremont, offering residents a diverse, all-inclusive vibe. You can do anything in Fremont, from relaxing at Fremont Canal Park in the sunshine to heading over to Theo Chocolate for fair-trade treats. Or, if you’re looking for some after-hours entertainment, you can check out performances at Substation or Nectar Lounge, a couple of local favorites.

North Fremont is an excellent residential area with single-family homes, though you can find new apartment complexes popping up throughout. The neighborhood is an ideal option for families as it is known for its quality city schools. Another benefit of Fremont living is that renters can get by without a car, thanks to the plethora of public bus routes from Downtown or North End.

3. How to Find Affordable Apartments in Seattle

In Seattle, determining how to find an apartment is one thing. However, it will require some extensive research to find a cheap apartment. Thankfully, we've done a lot of that work for you. Need more? Check out our guide to the best Seattle neighborhoods.

Ballard

• Average one-bedroom rent: $2,195
• Map of Ballard

Once a fishing community with a working-class population, today, Ballard is a popular neighborhood for craft brew lovers and young families alike. In this cozy, walkable neighborhood, you'll find scores of craft breweries. In addition to being highly walkable, cyclists take their wheels everywhere they want to go in Ballard as it is also a bike-friendly community.

For gorgeous views of the Olympic Mountains, take a look at waterside apartments along the Puget Sound. Keep in mind that you’re also near Greenwood, Magnolia, and North Beach when you live in Ballard, among other great Seattle neighborhoods.

If you’re interested in finding out more, check out the Ballard neighborhood guide.

Capitol Hill

• Average one-bedroom rent: $2,436
• Map of Capitol Hill

If you’re looking for an artsy and vibrant neighborhood thriving with pubs and music venues, then search no further than Capitol Hill. While you can find upscale places here, you'll also be able to snag studios starting at $950. Live within steps of Seattle's vibrant nightlife, ideal for college students and young professionals. For a quieter lifestyle, take a look at Volunteer Park rentals; otherwise, choose what you like from everything, including modern and upscale apartments and older units.

If you work in Downtown Seattle or attend the University of Washington, Capitol Hill sits in an ideal location, central enough to get everywhere you want to go. But there’s plenty of entertainment within Capitol Hill, including dinner at Tacos Chukis or games and drinks at Garage.

Redmond

• Average one-bedroom apartment rent: $2,458
• Map of Redmond

Redmond is a bit farther out from some of the other options on this list. While it offers a convenient commute to the city (especially if you work at Microsoft!), it boasts a vibe that's more suburban than urban. Think quiet streets lined with single-family homes, perfect for those seeking a peaceful and family-oriented environment. Parks and excellent schools make Redmond ideal for families.

Home to Microsoft's headquarters and many other tech companies, Redmond offers abundant opportunities for those in the tech industry. While rent prices can be higher here, you'll also find options that are more affordable than some closer-in neighborhoods. One-bedroom apartments currently start at $1,601 in this area.

4. Determining Your Budget for a Seattle Apartment

The fastest and easiest way to determine whethe you can afford to live in a city is to use a rent calculator. This will determine, based on your income, how much rent you can afford and whether you can live in a given area. These determinations are made based on a budgeting rule that states that in order to have room for bills, entertainment, and savings, your rent should not be more than 30% of your income.

Any budget for an apartment will always include some basic expenses such as:

• Rent
• Heating and gas
• Electricity
• Moving expenses
• Cable/internet
• Etc.

You might feel overwhelmed once you begin putting your expenses together. Don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to help reduce some of your costs if you are mindful. For example, you can continually seek out different move-in specials and take advantage of seasonality when renting.

Understand the Trust Cost of Renting

Rather than giving you an exact picture of your budget, the 30% rule works best as a baseline. It does not account for the hidden costs of renting when forming a complete budget. If you’re wondering how much apartment rent you can afford, look at some of the hidden apartment expenses. Some of the everyday hidden apartment expenses include:

• Security deposit
• Pet deposit
• Apartment application fees
• Moving costs
• Move-in fees

How much rent you can afford will also be dependent on your specific financial circumstance. For example, suppose you have additional financial needs, including medical expenses, student debt repayment, etc. In that case, you may realize that the 30% rule doesn’t quite fit your budget and need to adjust your budget accordingly.

To determine how much you can afford to pay, including additional expenses, you can also use the Rent Calculator. This beneficial tool has been put together with renters like you in mind. Get a better understanding of what type of rental budget you are working with for your move to Seattle.

5. What’s the Best Time to Find an Apartment in Seattle?

As detailed in our rent report for Seattle, for the past few years, rent prices in Seattle have been the highest in the month of August and the lowest in January. Rents tend to increase between the months of January and August and decrease moving from fall into winter.

This local data is consistent with national trends showing that people generally move less during the winter months. Between inclement weather and the stress of the holidays, it just so happens that moving is not a high priority during this time of the year. As a result, you can typically find more apartments available during the winter.

The most popular time for moving is in the summer months, which is why the rental market tends to be both more competitive and expensive throughout summer. Learn more about the best time to find an apartment.

6. Consider Your Commute Time

Factor in commute time, as well as your dream location, when looking for your next Seattle apartment.

Seattle's walk score is 74, making it the ninth-most walkable large city within the country. In addition to these decent scores, Seattle also has excellent public transportation and is known for being bikeable. This information is good because it is possible to find a great Seattle apartment within walking or biking distance to work.

Public Transportation in Seattle

In Seattle, you’ll find plenty of public transportation options, including multiple options amongst each of the following:

• Bus
• Rail
• Water

Public transportation in Seattle is pretty reliable and can even be your primary mode of transportation, with so many different options available. For those living and working in downtown-adjacent areas, you may even opt-out of having a vehicle of your own.

If you want to reduce your monthly expenses, you might opt for an apartment in Seattle near your work or local bike paths and rely on the city’s extensive public transit.

7. Prepare for Apartment Tours

Before signing a lease for your new Seattle apartment, you’ll want to take part in an apartment tour. When it's time to tour your prospective apartment, don’t forget to bring documentation, including ID, references, and your application fee. You’ll want to know the preference ahead of time for the application fee, as property managers may accept cash, credit card, or check.

Before going on your apartment tour, find out how the application process works. That way, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect and how you can prepare yourself.

Take your time during your tour. Enjoy yourself and ensure the amenities in the listing are functioning correctly. Jot down a list of additional questions you may have and bring them with you, including rules regarding pets, painting, parking.

To get an idea of what you should be asking the property manager during your apartment tour, check out our list of 20 questions to ask when renting an apartment.

8. Applying for Your Seattle Apartment

Once you’ve completed your apartment tour and have found the Seattle unit that checks all the boxes, it’s time to submit your application.

Considering that you should already have the necessary materials gathered from your tour, the application should come quickly for you. However, your application may require additional materials, including rental references.

Most landlords will want to see previous landlords listed for rental references. However, if you don’t have any previous rental history, that shouldn’t be an issue. Property managers may also accept personal references in some instances, so be sure to clarify ahead of time so you can get your contacts in order.

Make sure to reach out to your rental references ahead of time so they can anticipate the call. You can help speed up the application process by giving them a heads-up that will allow them to respond more quickly on your behalf.

9. Protect Yourself from Rental Scams

According to a rental fraud report by Apartment List, 36.2% of renters in Seattle have encountered an apartment listing they have suspected was fraudulent. Sadly, 4.3% of these Seattle renters have lost money from one of these rental scams. So keep yourself protected and ensure you are always cautious by following these tips for avoiding rental scams.

Ready to Find Your Seattle Apartment?

While it may be stressful, don’t forget that it’s essential to enjoy the apartment hunting process. On behalf of us here at Apartment List, congratulations on starting your search for a beautiful new apartment and life in Seattle!

Here’s how it works: First, we’ll start the process by having you answer a few simple questions. From your responses, we’ll be able to match you to apartments based on your specified criteria. Then, we’ll mix and match your personalized results to make it easy for you to discover places with the perfect combination of amenities, location, and price.

FAQs about How to Find an Seattle Apartment

Is Seattle affordable to rent?

Seattle is the sixteenth most expensive city in the country for renters, with a median rent of $2,031 as of May 2024. At that rate, we estimate you would need to earn a little over $81,000 a year to comfortably afford an apartment in Seattle.

What time of the year is rent cheapest in Seattle?

According to our rental estimate data, for the past several years, rent has been lowest in Seattle in the month of January. It is generally preceded by a downward trend that begins around August.

Are rents going up or down in Seattle?

As of May 2024, rent in Seattle was up 1.3% over the previous year. It was also up 0.6% over the previous month.