True Cost of Renting in Kirkland
Kirkland is a mid-sized lakeside city on the east shore of Lake Washington with a genuine small-town-meets-tech feel. Google opened a major campus here in 2019 (expanding aggressively), joining existing employers Costco and Tableau. The downtown waterfront on Lake Washington creates a premium rental submarket that rivals Bellevue. Rents are slightly below Bellevue but above Redmond for comparable units.
Neighborhoods & Average Rents
Downtown Kirkland / Waterfront
- Studio:
- $1,700/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $2,300/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $3,200/mo
Walkable lakefront downtown with parks, restaurants, and marina access; older and newer apartment buildings compete in this desirable area. PSE electric. Some parking included; waterfront units command premium. Metro bus to Bellevue and Seattle.
Totem Lake / Kingsgate
- Studio:
- $1,400/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $1,900/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $2,600/mo
North Kirkland near Totem Lake Mall redevelopment zone; newer apartment complexes near Google's main campus. I-405 access and future East Link station at 128th. PSE electric. Most complexes include two parking spaces.
South Kirkland / Houghton
- 1 Bed:
- $2,100/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $2,900/mo
Affluent lakeside neighborhood between Downtown Kirkland and Bellevue; limited apartment supply in an area dominated by single-family homes. SR-520 on-ramp access for Seattle commutes. Lake views add premium. PSE electric.
Utility Providers
- Electric
- PSE (Puget Sound Energy)
- Water
- City of Kirkland Water Division
- Internet
- Comcast Xfinity, Ziply Fiber, CenturyLink
Commute & Transportation
Kirkland's commute hub is I-405 (running north to Lynnwood and south to Renton), with SR-520 accessible via SR-908 for Seattle access. Google's campus is in Kirkland proper. Costco's headquarters is in Issaquah, 20 minutes south on I-90. Metro Bus routes connect Kirkland to the Bellevue Transit Center and the Eastgate P&R for I-90 commuters. The Cross Kirkland Corridor trail (a converted rail trail) provides car-free bike access across the city. East Link Light Rail at the future Kirkland urban station is in planning stages.
Rental Market Overview
Kirkland rents premium for its Lake Washington waterfront and small-city feel relative to larger Bellevue and Seattle. PSE electric rates apply throughout. No state income tax. Google's campus expansion has tightened supply in the Totem Lake and Downtown core areas. Washington state prohibits rent control. Security deposits limited to 1 month's rent. Strong school district ratings make Kirkland popular with tech families. Renters insurance averages $15–20/month.
Data last updated: 2026-04
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