Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Burien?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Burien, you need to earn at least $79,480/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $84,583, which means the typical resident is $5,103 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 51,505

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,391	$4,637	$55,640	$-28,943
1 Bedroom	$1,649	$5,497	$65,960	$-18,623
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,987	$6,623	$79,480	$-5,103
3 Bedroom	$2,424	$8,080	$96,960	+$12,377
4 Bedroom	$2,981	$9,937	$119,240	+$34,657

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Burien's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$84,583

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$79,480

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$5,103

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 28.2%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Burien

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Burien's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$2,115

Studio

$1,391/mo

1 BR

$1,649/mo

2 BR

$1,987/mo

3 BR

$2,424/mo

4 BR

$2,981/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Burien.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Burien's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Burien

Renting in Burien, Washington is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $79,480/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $84,583, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,649/month) or studio ($1,391/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Burien pushes the required income to $96,960.

For comfortable living in Burien without financial stress, target a household income of at least $119,220 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Washington's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Burien, Washington.

With a total population of 51,505, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 27,277 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $79,480 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

27,277

Active civilian employees in Burien

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Burien

What salary do I need to live in Burien, Washington?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Burien under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $79,480. The median household income in Burien is $84,583.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Burien on $84,583?

The affordability verdict for Burien is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 28.2%, meaning median earners have a $5,103 surplus.

What is the average rent in Burien compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Burien is $1,649/month. With a median household income of $84,583, residents spend approximately 28.2% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Burien?

A studio in Burien rents for approximately $1,391/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $55,640 to afford this.

Is Burien considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $5,103 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Burien is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $79,480 to the local median household income.

How Burien Compares

Other cities in Washington with salary requirements