salaryRent is higher than in 82% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $94,400 a year. That is $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Washington cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Washington. It is number 137 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Burien?
Share of households by yearly income. 36.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Burien
| Size | Burien | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,412 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,596 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,934 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,774 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,167 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Burien overall?
Everyday prices in Washington overall are 7% above the U.S. average (index 107.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Burien, so the Washington figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Burien
Life in Burien
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Burien?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,072 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $638,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $63,880 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Burien, WA?
Renting in Burien costs a median of about $2,360 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Burien?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $94,400 a year, or $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Burien cheap or expensive?
Burien is rated OK: rent takes 28.8% of the typical household income of $98,486. It ranks 137th cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Burien?
The median homeowner in Burien pays $6,004 a year in property taxes, about 0.94% of the median home value.
Is Burien more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Washington are 7% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Burien?
The median home value in Burien is $638,800, about 6.5 times the typical yearly household income.
51,513 people live in Burien. Numbers are typical (middle) values.