Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Yakima?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Yakima, you need to earn at least $48,880/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $55,734, which means the typical resident is $6,854 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 96,764

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$855	$2,850	$34,200	$-21,534
1 Bedroom	$1,014	$3,380	$40,560	$-15,174
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,222	$4,073	$48,880	$-6,854
3 Bedroom	$1,491	$4,970	$59,640	+$3,906
4 Bedroom	$1,833	$6,110	$73,320	+$17,586

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$55,734

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$48,880

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$6,854

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 26.3%

The 30% Rule Calculator

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

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Yakima's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,393

Studio

$855/mo

1 BR

$1,014/mo

2 BR

$1,222/mo

3 BR

$1,491/mo

4 BR

$1,833/mo

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

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Yakima

Renting in Yakima, Washington is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $48,880/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $55,734, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,014/month) or studio ($855/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Yakima pushes the required income to $59,640.

For comfortable living in Yakima without financial stress, target a household income of at least $73,320 — 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 Yakima, Washington.

With a total population of 96,764, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 39,178 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $48,880 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

39,178

Active civilian employees in Yakima

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Yakima

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

To afford a 2-bedroom in Yakima under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $48,880. The median household income in Yakima is $55,734.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Yakima on $55,734?

The affordability verdict for Yakima is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 26.3%, meaning median earners have a $6,854 surplus.

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

The median gross rent in Yakima is $1,014/month. With a median household income of $55,734, residents spend approximately 26.3% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Yakima?

A studio in Yakima rents for approximately $855/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $34,200 to afford this.

Is Yakima considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $6,854 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Yakima is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $48,880 to the local median household income.

How Yakima Compares

Other cities in Washington with salary requirements