Can An Electrician Afford Rent in Arlington, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.5% of gross income.

Arlington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Arlington median rent
$2,183/mo
Electrician salary (Washington)
$78,288/yr
Rent as % of income
33.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,524, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,957/mo in rent. Arlington's median rent of $2,183 exceeds that threshold by $226/mo, putting an electrician salary into the rent-burdened range here. An electrician works roughly 58 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and an electrician salary

Electrician pay is competitive with many four-year-degree occupations and covers comfortable rent across most US metros. Union journeymen in high-cost cities often earn well above the BLS mean once overtime and benefits are counted, which expands affordability further. At the national-average electrician salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,748 a month in rent. The per-city pages show where rent stays in range and where it begins to pinch.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Washington cities have lower median rent than Arlington, which improves the affordability math on an electrician salary:

Puyallup, WA
$2,182/mo (33.4% of income)
Battle Ground, WA
$2,181/mo (33.4% of income)
Edmonds, WA
$2,180/mo (33.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Arlington

View full rent data for Arlington, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can an electrician afford rent in Arlington, WA?

Median rent in Arlington is $2,183 a month. A typical electrician in Washington earns about $78,288 a year, which makes that rent 33.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can an electrician afford in Arlington?

Using the 30% rule, an electrician salary in Washington (~$78,288/yr) supports up to $1,957 a month in rent. Arlington's current median rent is $2,183/mo, which is $226/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does an electrician work to cover rent in Arlington?

At an hourly equivalent of about $38 an hour, an electrician in Washington works roughly 58 hours a month to cover Arlington's median rent of $2,183.

Where is rent cheaper than Arlington for an electrician?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Puyallup ($2,182/mo), Battle Ground ($2,181/mo), Edmonds ($2,180/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an electrician salary.

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