4 Puget Sound Cities See Biggest Rent Hikes In U.S.: Study

SEATTLE, WA - Four Puget Sound cities were among the top 25 cities in the U.S. for highest year-over-year rent gains, according to a study by the real estate information website Rent Cafe. Seattle and Kent were among the top 10 for increases, and Bellevue and Tacoma came in Nos. 14 and 25, respectively.

The average rent in Seattle increased 7.3 percent compared to this time last year, standing at $2,004 per month. But rent in Kent increased 9 percent over that same period to $1,411 per month. These increases come despite a nationwide cooling in the rental market, according to Rent Cafe. Nationwide, rent increased on average just $1 between July and August.

Even though it was No. 14 for average year-over-year increase, Bellevue's average rent was more expensive that Seattle at $2,163 per month. Rent in Tacoma increased about 8.4 percent to an average of $1,051 per month.

But it shouldn't be a surprise that rents south of Seattle are growing. Because housing has become so expensive in Seattle and Eastside cities like Bellevue, many local residents have decided to start moving south to cheaper cities like, yes, Kent and Tacoma.

Image via Realtor.com