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Cle Elum, WA Homes for Rent

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    $2,000 Per Month

    • 1 Bed
    • 1 Bath
    • 2,400 Sq Ft
    • House for Rent

    212 W Railroad St, Cle Elum, WA 98922

    Commercial Buiding For Lease. Retail/Office use. 1st floor and basement included. Double city lot, large parking lot, outdoor space and gated parking. Second floor, one bedroom apartment is available separately.

    Marguerite Marrs Realty ONE Group Orca Gold

    212 W Railroad St, Cle Elum, WA 98922
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    $13,500 Per Month

    • 9,000 Sq Ft
    • House for Rent

    200 E 1st St, Cle Elum, WA 98922

    200 E First Street offers a prime opportunity to acquire a well-located commercial property in the heart of Cle Elum. The building provides approximately 9,000 SF of flexible Downtown Commercial (DC) zoned space suitable for retail, restaurants, bars, office and medical, personal services, hospitality, and entertainment uses, as well as financial institutions, breweries/wineries, and select civic

    Daniel Lim Lee & Associates Commercial RE

    200 E 1st St, Cle Elum, WA 98922

Why Live in Cle Elum

Cle Elum, located in the forested eastern foothills of the Cascades mountain range in Washington, is known for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. The city is downstream from Cle Elum Lake along the Cle Elum River before it joins the Yakima River, with Seattle about 83 miles northwest and Tacoma approximately 96 miles west. Founded in 1902, Cle Elum developed around coal mining and logging, but now tourism drives the economy. Residents and visitors enjoy year-round outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming, hunting, skiing, and snowshoeing. The area features a diverse assortment of home types, including grand lodge-style residences and cozy cabins, with new custom homes being added by developers like Trailside Group. Cle Elum's parks include Centennial Park, City Park, and Hanson Ponds Park, while nearby trails like the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail and Iron Horse Trail provide hiking and mountain biking options. Water recreation is popular on the lake and rivers, and the Teanaway Community Forest offers over 50,000 acres of wilderness. Downtown Cle Elum, particularly the Gaslight District, hosts locally owned specialty shops, restaurants, and markets. Notable dining spots include MaMa Vallone's Steak House & Inn and Ploy Thai Bistro. The area is served by the Cle Elum-Roslyn School District, which includes Cle Elum-Roslyn Elementary, Walter Strom Middle School, and Cle Elum-Roslyn High School. Events like Pioneer Days, Boo-Elum, and Christmas in Cle Elum foster community spirit. While some streets are walkable, Cle Elum is generally car-dependent, with significant I-90 traffic during peak seasons. Transportation options include free Kittitas County buses and the reservation-based Airporter Shuttle to Sea-Tac and Yakima Air Terminal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to rent a home in Cle Elum, WA?
The median rent for a home in Cle Elum, WA is $2,450 per month, though prices vary by neighborhood, size, and property type. As of June 2026, townhouses tend to be the most affordable option while single-family homes are currently more expensive.
How much do you need to make to afford rent in Cle Elum, WA?
To comfortably afford the median rent in Cle Elum, WA, a household needs to earn roughly $98,000 per year. This is based on the common guideline that households should spend no more than 30% of gross income on housing. Most landlords require monthly household income of at least 3x the monthly rent, and with a median rent of $2,450 per month in Cle Elum, WA, renters typically need to show $7,350 per month in gross income to qualify. Actual affordability will vary depending on household debts, other living expenses, and overall budget.
Is it more affordable to rent or buy in Cle Elum, WA?
In Cle Elum, WA, the price-to-rent ratio is 35.2, which generally favors renting. This ratio divides the median home price by the annual median rent: below 15 typically favors buying, 15 to 20 is balanced, and above 20 typically favors renting. Your finances, how long you plan to stay, and costs like mortgage rates, taxes, and maintenance all factor into the decision.

Rental Trends in Cle Elum, WA

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
2
Median Rent
$2,450
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,800
Median Townhouse Rent
$2,100
How to Rent a Home