Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Kelso, WA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 18.2% of gross income.

Kelso rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Kelso median rent
$1,485/mo
Dental Hygienist salary (Washington)
$98,011/yr
Rent as % of income
18.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $8,168, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,450/mo in rent. Kelso's median rent of $1,485 leaves roughly $965/mo of headroom under that threshold. A dental hygienist works roughly 31.5 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a dental hygienist salary

Dental hygienist pay covers comfortable rent in most US metros. At the national-average dental-hygienist salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,188 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Washington cities have lower median rent than Kelso, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:

Walla Walla, WA
$1,484/mo (18.2% of income)
Pullman, WA
$1,481/mo (18.1% of income)
Moses Lake, WA
$1,481/mo (18.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Kelso

View full rent data for Kelso, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Kelso, WA?

Median rent in Kelso is $1,485 a month. A typical dental hygienist in Washington earns about $98,011 a year, which makes that rent 18.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a dental hygienist afford in Kelso?

Using the 30% rule, a dental hygienist salary in Washington (~$98,011/yr) supports up to $2,450 a month in rent. Kelso's current median rent is $1,485/mo, which leaves a $965/mo buffer.

How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Kelso?

At an hourly equivalent of about $47 an hour, a dental hygienist in Washington works roughly 31.5 hours a month to cover Kelso's median rent of $1,485.

Where is rent cheaper than Kelso for a dental hygienist?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Walla Walla ($1,484/mo), Pullman ($1,481/mo), Moses Lake ($1,481/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental hygienist salary.

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