Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Ferndale, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.8% of gross income.

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

Ferndale median rent
$2,007/mo
Real Estate Agent salary (Washington)
$73,450/yr
Rent as % of income
32.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,121, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,836/mo in rent. Ferndale's median rent of $2,007 exceeds that threshold by $171/mo, putting a real estate agent salary into the rent-burdened range here. A real estate agent works roughly 56.8 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Ferndale, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:

Auburn, WA
$2,006/mo (32.8% of income)
Ridgefield, WA
$2,006/mo (32.8% of income)
Lynden, WA
$2,006/mo (32.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Ferndale

View full rent data for Ferndale, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a real estate agent afford rent in Ferndale, WA?

Median rent in Ferndale is $2,007 a month. A typical real estate agent in Washington earns about $73,450 a year, which makes that rent 32.8% 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 Ferndale?

Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Washington (~$73,450/yr) supports up to $1,836 a month in rent. Ferndale's current median rent is $2,007/mo, which is $171/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Ferndale?

At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a real estate agent in Washington works roughly 56.8 hours a month to cover Ferndale's median rent of $2,007.

Where is rent cheaper than Ferndale for a real estate agent?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Auburn ($2,006/mo), Ridgefield ($2,006/mo), Lynden ($2,006/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.

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