Average Washington renter needs $27 hourly wage to afford apartment, study says

6-14-2018

SEATTLE, Wash. — A new study finds a full-time worker in Washington needs to earn almost $27 per hour to be able to afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment.

The study, released by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, finds a two-bedroom apartment is slightly more affordable in Whatcom County, with full-time workers here needing to earn about $20 per hour.

Workers in King and Snohomish Counties need to earn more than $36 per hour.

The organization says the typical renter in Washington earns just $19 per hour.

The executive director of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance tells KOMO “renters in Washington are being crushed” by rapidly rising rents, stagnant income and a shortage of affordable homes for people with low incomes.