Washington → Benton

Benton County, Washington

Pasture here rented for $15 an acre in 2026, $4.70 above the Washington median of $10.30. That's the 61st percentile among the 14 Washington counties reporting that year, and the 25th percentile nationally.

The record, computed from 8 archived USDA survey years, 2010–2026
as of 2026-10-012026 surveymethodcompare your own rate

Put that in lease terms. On a quarter section of 160 acres, the gap between this county and the state median is $752.00 a year. A difference that looks small per acre is large at that scale.

Across Washington's counties, the middle half of county averages in 2026 runs $3.08 to $35.25 an acre. Individual leases spread wider than county averages do, because grass, water, fencing and term length all move the price. An offer far outside this band should come with a reason the other side can say out loud.

Since 2010, this county's rate has fallen 58 percent: $36 then, $15 in 2026. A lease left alone over that stretch has been repricing itself by default.

The counties next door

The comparison made at the kitchen table is with the neighbors. This year, rates across the county line go from $3.30 to $14.50 an acre. Every bordering county NASS tracks is listed at its most recent published rate.

County$/acre
Walla Walla$25 (2020)
Yakima$14.50
Franklin$11 (2023)
Umatilla, Oregon$10
Morrow, Oregon$8
Klickitat$5.20
Grant$3.30

Every year on record

Year$/acre
2010$36
2011$35.50
2014$24.50
2017$52
2021$43.50
2022$25
2023$46.50
2026$15

This page prints clean from your browser. Take it to the table.

Planned: the Benton County negotiation packet. A one-page brief to hand across the table, lease terms as ranchers contribute them (water, fencing, maintenance, term length) and the stocking-rate bridge between dollars per acre and per-head rates. The rates, the history and the neighbors table above stay free. What's free today.

Holding an offer for Benton County ground? Compare it with this benchmark in your browser. Your numbers never leave this device.