Rents are 7% below what Burien's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
Bedroom figures are derived from HUD Fair Market Rents and scaled to match Burien's market median, because the published HUD values all ran above it. They are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
January. Asking rents in Burien usually run 1.6% below trend in January and 1.2% above it in September, about $49 a month apart at today's median. Based on 9 years of data.
Rent in Burien is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2017.
Rent in Burien changed +3.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 97 Washington cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent in Burien rose 28.9% while median household income rose 35.5% ($67,402 to $91,318). Income kept ahead of rent.
Rent in Burien is 28.4% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 8 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($91,318) is $2,283 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($2,050); a 2-bedroom is $2,390.
The priciest of 3 ZIP codes in Burien, 98146 ($1,839/mo), costs 4% more than the cheapest, 98166 ($1,776/mo).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Burien. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Burien, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 33.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Burien, WA has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Burien, WA stood at $1,363 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,748, reflecting a 28.2% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $79,797 in 2021 to $91,318 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 33.2% of adults here, versus 29% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Burien, WA market of 2021.
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At $1,748/mo, how Burien rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Burien rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Burien. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Burien
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Burien is $1,748/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,336/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,605/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,376/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,122/mo.
At 23% of local median household income ($91,318/yr), Burien ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Burien rent compare to other cities in Washington?
At $1,748/mo, rent takes ~23% of Burien's median household income ($91,318/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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