A Survey of Rents Across Washington State

Last month, A Permanent Place got curious as to the current rents being charged across the state, we know what we pay, but want to know what the average price for an apartment in anytown Washington is. This is what we found:

The highest prices for any sized apartment were found in King County, Thurston County, and Pierce County with studio apartments fetching up to $2400/mo, 1-bedrooms reaching $1600-$2100/mo and 2-bedrooms or more ranging anywhere between $2200 - $3500/mo. The high priced studios were mostly located in Seattle area, while the highest prices we found for a 1-bedroom was in Olympia. The lowest rents we found were in subsidized units which were at a reasonable amount of $700/mo for a 1-bedroom, but you had to be a senior citizen, disabled, a single parent or a recovering addict.

The rising price of renting just seems like as renters, if your required to pay more, you should get more, but there is nothing new offered. Yet, what other choice does anyone have? Move back in with mom and dad? Get a roommate? Sure, if these are options for you, but not everyone has such options. Most people just try to make more money.

Our current working class, the kids who grew up in the 00's, are just starting out and have huge rents to pay, but wages are not keeping up. A new way of thinking about housing, real estate, land and our connection to it needs to evolve. A Permanent Place believes that current society requires that its functioning depends on the ammenities that are found in the home: daily shower, access to a toilet, running water, safety and security, and warmth in the night. Americans have created a standard of living that includes the promise of home if you work for it, but renting does not provide anyone but the landlord with security.

Thats all for now, thanks for reading and check us out for more in the coming weeks.