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City Report · WA

Burien

Pop. 51,513·79th most expensive in Washington·Burien rents are up 6.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,896/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.6%
Month-over-Month
+0.3%
vs US Median
-$69
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Burien · $1,896
More expensive than 52% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
61/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Burien's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,896/mo
Expected by trend
$2,005/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Burien's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,449
1 BR
$1,493
2 BR
$1,741
3 BR
$2,301
4 BR+
$2,680
Research median
$1,741/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$22,752/yr
At $1,896/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.6% YoY, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
51,513
Median income
$91,318
Median age
40.4
Renters
43.4%
Age distribution
20.6%
20.4%
30.3%
12.7%
15.9%
Under 1820.6%
18–3420.4%
35–5430.3%
55–6412.7%
65+15.9%
Gender
51.5%
48.5%
Male51.5%
Female48.5%
Race & ethnicity
47.7%
24.2%
15.4%
White47.7%
Black7.7%
Hispanic24.2%
Asian15.4%
Other5%
Education (25+)
15%
21.2%
30.6%
33.2%
No HS diploma15%
HS diploma21.2%
Some college30.6%
Bachelor's+33.2%
Housing tenure
56.6%
43.4%
Owner56.6%
Renter43.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Burien, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,450 → $1,896
up 30.8%
Income
$79,797 → $91,318
up 14.4%
Population
51,646 → 51,513
down 0.3%
Renter share
44.1% → 43.4%
-0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
29% → 33.2%
+4.2 pts
Median age
39.6 → 40.4
+0.8 yrs

The median rent in Burien, WA stood at $1,450 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,896, reflecting a 30.8% 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.

Community

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View Burien rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Burien on your salary?

At $1,896/mo, how Burien rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Burien rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Burien. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Burien

About renting in Burien, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Burien is $1,896/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,449/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,741/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,493/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,301/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($91,318/yr), Burien ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Burien an affordable city for renters?

Burien is considered affordable for renters. At $1,896/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($91,318/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Burien falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Burien?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $76,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,896/mo in Burien. The local median household income is $91,318/yr, meaning the typical Burien household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Burien?

Rent in Burien has increased 6.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Burien neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Burien are 98146 ($1,876/mo), 98166 ($1,880/mo), and 98148 ($2,082/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Burien is $1,896/mo.

How does Burien rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Burien is one of the more affordable cities in Washington for rent, ranking #79 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,896/mo.

What percentage of Burien residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.4% of Burien households are renters, while 56.6% are owner-occupied. Burien leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Burien rent compare to the national average?

Burien's median rent of $1,896/mo is $69 (4%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #79 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,896/mo, rent takes ~25% of Burien's median household income ($91,318/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Burien 25%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Burien, WA

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