Moving in or out mid-month in Seattle? Enter your monthly rent and date to calculate exactly what you owe for a partial month, with Washington deposit and notice rules for 2026.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Prorated rent is what you pay for a partial month when you move in or out on a day other than the first. With average Seattle rent near $2,200/month, the standard method divides monthly rent by the days in the month and multiplies by days occupied. Washington sets no statutory cap on security deposits, but the landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement of any deductions, within 21 days of move-out. A tenant generally must give 20 days written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy.
| Rule (Washington) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Average 1-bedroom rent | $2,200/month |
| Average 2-bedroom rent | $2,900/month |
| Security deposit limit | no statutory cap (set by lease) |
| Deposit return deadline | 21 days after move-out |
| Month-to-month notice | 20 days written notice |
| Standard proration formula | Rent ÷ days in month × days occupied |
Example: rent is $2,200, move-in is the 10th of a 30-day month, so 21 days remain. Prorated rent is ($2,200 ÷ 30) × 21 = $1,540.
Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, home to Amazon and Microsoft (nearby), a major cloud-computing and technology cluster, aerospace ties to Boeing, the Port of Seattle, global health philanthropy, and a strong coffee and retail heritage.
| Local Metric | Seattle (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 750,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | King County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 151 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $27.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $52.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $20.29/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,200/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $2,900/month |
| Median home price | $850,000 |
| Median household income | $116,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 10.35% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.92% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
Divide your monthly rent by the number of days in the move-in month, then multiply by the days you occupy the unit. For example, $2,200 rent divided by 30 days times 15 days occupied is $1,100. Use the calculator above for your dates.
Average rent in Seattle is about $2,200/month for a 1-bedroom and $2,900 for a 2-bedroom, which is why getting proration right matters when you move mid-month.
In Washington the security deposit limit is no statutory cap (set by lease). The deposit must be returned within 21 days of move-out with an itemized statement of any deductions. Washington sets no statutory cap on security deposits, but the landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement of any deductions, within 21 days of move-out. A tenant generally must give 20 days written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy.
In Washington, 20 days of written notice generally ends a month-to-month tenancy, though your lease may require more. Notice timing also affects your final prorated rent.
There is no statute mandating a specific proration method in Washington, but most landlords prorate as standard practice. Confirm the method in writing in your lease before signing to avoid disputes.