Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Burien, WA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31% of gross income.
Burien rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).
About rent and a real estate agent salary
Real estate agent pay is commission-driven and varies widely with local market conditions. The BLS mean averages high and low producers. At the national-average agent salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,640 a month in rent — though successful agents in active markets earn well above this.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Washington cities have lower median rent than Burien, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Burien
View full rent data for Burien, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Burien, WA?
Median rent in Burien is $1,896 a month. A typical real estate agent in Washington earns about $73,450 a year, which makes that rent 31% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Burien?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Washington (~$73,450/yr) supports up to $1,836 a month in rent. Burien's current median rent is $1,896/mo, which is $60/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Burien?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a real estate agent in Washington works roughly 53.7 hours a month to cover Burien's median rent of $1,896.
Where is rent cheaper than Burien for a real estate agent?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Bellingham ($1,895/mo), Bremerton ($1,895/mo), University Place ($1,895/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.