Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Renton, WA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.1% of gross income.

Renton rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Renton median rent
$2,252/mo
Auto Mechanic salary (Washington)
$57,422/yr
Rent as % of income
47.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,785, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,436/mo in rent. Renton's median rent of $2,252 exceeds that threshold by $816/mo, putting an auto mechanic salary into the rent-burdened range here. An auto mechanic works roughly 81.6 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and an auto mechanic salary

Auto mechanic pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Master techs and dealership flat-rate techs often earn well above the BLS figure, which expands affordability further. At the national-average mechanic salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,282 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets stay in range.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Washington cities have lower median rent than Renton, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:

Edmonds, WA
$2,248/mo (47% of income)
Frederickson, WA
$2,248/mo (47% of income)
Monroe, WA
$2,247/mo (47% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Renton

View full rent data for Renton, WA →

Frequently asked questions

Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Renton, WA?

Median rent in Renton is $2,252 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Washington earns about $57,422 a year, which makes that rent 47.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can an auto mechanic afford in Renton?

Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Washington (~$57,422/yr) supports up to $1,436 a month in rent. Renton's current median rent is $2,252/mo, which is $816/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Renton?

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, an auto mechanic in Washington works roughly 81.6 hours a month to cover Renton's median rent of $2,252.

Where is rent cheaper than Renton for an auto mechanic?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Edmonds ($2,248/mo), Frederickson ($2,248/mo), Monroe ($2,247/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Washington state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Renton, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.