More square feet and a dog run but higher rents in Everett

Median rents for one- and two-bedroom apartments are higher in Everett than Seattle, study says

EVERETT — Looking for a one or two-bedroom apartment in Everett? These days, it could cost you more than similar digs in Seattle, a new report says.

The study, released at the beginning of the year, pegs the median monthly rent for a one-bedroom Everett apartment at $1,350 and a one-bedroom in the Emerald City at $1,320, according to Apartment List, a nationwide online market for apartment. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Everett, at $1,680, also topped Seattle’s median of $1,650, the report said.

Last year was the first time that Everett’s median apartment rents topped Seattle’s since the study began tracking rates in 2014, said Chris Salviati, the report’s author and a housing economist.

The analysis gauged monthly rents in 18 cities in the Puget Sound region, including Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Lynnwood, Everett and Marysville.

“People tend to be surprised to learn that Everett’s median rent is higher than Seattle’s,” Salviati said.

A flurry of new construction has helped ease Seattle’s housing crunch. That hasn’t happened in Everett, Salviati said.

Seattle’s apartment choices are more varied, from older buildings in lower-income neighborhoods to high-end suites downtown.

Everett, on the other hand, presents a more “homogeneous” mix of apartments and prices — hence the higher median, Salviati said.

Everett also experienced, on average, a greater year-over- year rent hike.

About one-third of Snohomish County’s approximately 300,000 households are renters. Everett has one of the lowest rates of homeownership in the state.

In the past 12 months, Seattle rents rose less than 1 percent compared to 3 percent in 2017.

Everett rents increased 4 percent during the same period, up from 3.4 percent in 2017. Still, that’s less than the whopping 10-plus percent rent spike in 2015, the report said.

So, what does a 4 percent hike look like?

For Nancy Orwin of Everett, it means an additional $45 a month out of pocket.

The rent on her Everett apartment increased from $1,089 per month to $1,134 per month this winter.

Orwin, for now, is staying put, having signed a 12-month lease.

If the rent goes up another $75 to $100 next year, “I’d think about moving,” she said.

Around Puget Sound, some of the highest year-over-year rent increases were in Tacoma, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and south Snohomish County, where median rents rose more than 6 percent in the past 12 months, the report said.

Snohomish County’s development appears to be most intense near I-5 and I-405 and close to Seattle. Last spring, it was reported that more than 2,000 rental units are being built in Snohomish County, with some 5,000 more in the planning stages.

In Mountlake Terrace, rents were up 6.6 percent from a year ago December. There, the rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $1,550 or $1,940 for a two-bedroom, the report said.

Still, a one or two-bedroom apartment in Snohomish County may be a better deal than in Seattle if you’re in the market for more square-footage — and more amenities, such as a swimming pool or a dog run, Salviati said.

Marysville was one of last year’s outliers. Rents there declined 4 percent.

The median rent in Marysville last month was $1,320 for a one-bedroom and $1,640 for two bedrooms, the report said.

On average, monthly rents in the Puget Sound region are up about 3 percent from a year ago.

Across the state, the median rent rose about 1 percent.

For example, rents have grown by nearly 2 percent in Vancouver and less than one-half percent in Spokane, the report said.

Other highlights:

In December, the Everett median rent was nearly twice the price of a two-bedroom in Spokane, which stood at $880 a month.

Everett’s median two-bedroom rent of $1,680 is above the national average of $1,180.

Nationwide, rents have grown by 1 percent over the past year.

Janice Podsada; jpodsada @heraldnet.com; 425-339-3097. Twitter: JanicePods.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.