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Where did Bellevue—with it's massive downtown park—land on the list?

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If last year's  housing market was bonkers, then this year might best be described as slightly less bonkers. According to the latest Apartment List data, rents grew more slowly over the first half of 2022 compared to the same time period—up 5.4 percent nationwide versus 8.8 percent in 2021. But by pre-pandemic standards, that growth is still pretty darn impressive. Herein the nine most expensive cities in the greater Seattle area to rent an apartment in June 2022.

While Seattle's year-over-year rent growth lags behind the national average of 14.1 percent, the rest of the country has us beat when it comes to the (lower) median price of a two-bedroom apartment: just $1,339.  Median one-bedroom rent: $1,670 Median two-bedroom rent: $2,010 Year-over-year rent growth: 12.2 percent

Once considered an affordable southern burb, Renton has now surpassed Seattle when it comes to rental market prices. And with a robust 16.1 percent year-over-year price growth, it's not showing much sign of slowing. Median one-bedroom rent: $1,680 Median two-bedroom rent: $2,130 Year-over-year rent growth: 16.1 percent

In a potential sign of stability, Mountlake Terrace's month-over-month price growth was a mere 0.8 percent, the lowest of all the cities on this list. Median one-bedroom rent: $1,720 Median two-bedroom rent: $2,010 Year-over-year rent growth: 12.5 percent

Unlike Mountlake Terrace, Bothell had one of the highest month-over-month growth percentages on this list: 2.8 percent. Median one-bedroom rent: $1,890 Median two-bedroom rent: $2,200 Year-over-year rent growth: 18 percent

It's the Eastside from here on out, with Kirkland being the first locale to boast a median one-bedroom rent over the $2,000 mark. Median one-bedroom rent: $2,130 Median two-bedroom rent: $2,320 Year-over-year rent growth: 18.3 percent

The new and improved Village at Totem Lake in Kirkland.

Rents have edged ever higher for HQ-tethered Microsofties. Redmond rents grew by 2.7 percent between May and June of this year. Median one-bedroom rent: $2,160 Median two-bedroom rent: $2,440 Year-over-year rent growth: 19.7 percent

This Eastside city had both the highest month-over-month and year-over-year rent growth in June: 3 percent and 20.9 percent, respectively. Median one-bedroom rent: $2,200 Median two-bedroom rent: $2,450 Year-over-year rent growth: 20.9 percent

Although Apartment Lists's updated data collection and analysis methodology lacks median one-bedroom data for Issaquah, that $2,500 number for a two-bedroom apartment tells you everything you need to know. Median one-bedroom rent: N/A Median two-bedroom rent: $2,500 Year-over-year rent growth: 18.1 percent

Just how expensive is it to rent an apartment in Woodinville? Let's just say its median one-bedroom rent is more than the price of a two-bedroom in Bothell, Mountlake Terrace, Renton, and Seattle. Yikes. Median one-bedroom rent: $2,290 Median two-bedroom rent: $2,520 Year-over-year rent growth: 18.3 percent