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Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Seattle

Affordable Housing in Seattle, WA

Seattle has 326 income-based rental properties offering 28,655 units across the city, one of the larger affordable housing inventories in the Pacific Northwest. With a median market rent of $2,030 per month (Census ACS 5-Year), income-based options can make a significant difference for renters here. The majority of properties with available condition data score in the excellent or good range.

326
Properties
28,655
Total units
89/100
Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability
$2,030/mo

Affordability

Seattle's median asking rent is $2,030 per month and the median household income is $123,860 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024). With 56% of residents renting, demand for income-restricted housing is significant, making the 84 HUD-assisted and LIHTC properties listed here an important resource for cost-burdened households.

Census ACS 5-Year
🛡️ Safety
788 / 100k · 2024

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Seattle Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 788 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Keep in mind that crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in how agencies define and report crimes.

Of the 84 HUD-assisted properties in Seattle tracked by Lease Lantern, none are located in a FEMA-designated high-risk flood zone.

FBI Crime Data Explorer
🚶 Getting around
Walk Score 94 · Walker's Paradise

Getting Around Seattle

According to Walk Score, the area around assisted properties in Seattle scores 94 (Walker's Paradise) for walkability, 89 (Excellent Transit) for public transit, and 63 for bikeability. These scores reflect conditions near the HUD-assisted and income-based properties listed on this page.

Walk Score
🎓 Schools
135 schools · 9 districts

Schools

Seattle is served by 135 schools across 9 districts, including 84 elementary, 16 middle, and 34 high schools, plus 1 other, according to NCES Common Core of Data. Ratings vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address.

NCES Common Core of Data
📊 Cost of living
$123,860 median income

Cost of Living

Seattle is one of the more expensive rental markets in the country. According to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024), the median household income in Seattle is $123,860 per year, while the median gross rent is $2,030 per month.

Affordable and income-based housing can make a significant difference for renters here. Lease Lantern tracks 84 HUD-assisted and LIHTC properties with 4,796 total units across Seattle, offering income-qualified renters access to rents that are typically set well below market rate.

  • Median household income: $123,860/year (Census ACS 5-Year, 2024)
  • Median gross rent: $2,030/month (Census ACS 5-Year, 2024)
  • Share of renter households: 56% (Census ACS 5-Year, 2024)
Census ACS 5-Year
🌊 Environment & risk

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 84 affordable housing properties in Seattle were mapped for flood risk. None are located in a high-risk flood zone, according to FEMA flood data.

FEMA · EPA AirNow
HUD Inspection Scoresavg 89/100(78 of 326 scored)
90+ (46)70–89 (28)60–69 (1)<60 (3)No score (248)

326 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 326 affordable apartments in Seattle→

Other cities in WA

› Affordable housing in Auburn› Bellevue income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Bremerton› Centralia affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Cheney› Affordable housing in Everett› Kennewick income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Lynnwood› Moses Lake affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Olympia› Affordable housing in Port Orchard› Renton income-based apartments

Your rights & resources

› How HUD & Section 8 housing works› Tenant rights in WA› Housing assistance & waitlists› Free legal aid (LawHelp)› Energy bill help (LIHEAP)

Read more

About Affordable Housing in Seattle

Seattle is a majority-renter city, with 56 percent of households renting according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The median market rent sits at $2,030 per month, making the 4,796 income-restricted units across 84 HUD-assisted and LIHTC properties a meaningful resource for renters seeking below-market options.

Of the 78 properties scored by Lease Lantern, 46 earned an Excellent rating and 28 earned a Good rating, reflecting a strong overall picture of assisted housing quality in the city. No properties in Seattle carry a high flood risk, according to our flood mapping data.

Getting around without a car is very practical here. Seattle holds a Walk Score of 94 ("Walker's Paradise") and a Transit Score of 89 ("Excellent Transit"), both according to Walk Score.

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer figures reported by the Seattle Police Department, the city recorded a violent crime rate of 332 per 100,000 residents in 2024.

Seattle is served by 9 school districts and 135 public schools -- including 84 elementary, 16 middle, and 34 high schools -- according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Eligibility & how to apply

Washington income limits (2026)Washington public housing authoritiesSection 8 waitlists in Washington

Helpful guides

How Section 8 Vouchers WorkWhat Is Income-Based Housing?How to Apply for Affordable HousingSection 8 vs. LIHTCUnderstanding HUD Inspection ScoresHow Affordable Housing Waitlists Work
Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →