New study highlights workers’ struggle to afford rent in Washington state

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A new study highlights Washington state workers’ struggle to afford rent.

While minimum wage is at an all-time high, it’s still not enough to cover rent for even a one-bedroom apartment in Whatcom County and much of the state.

The study by the National Low Income Housing Coalition finds a person earning minimum wage would have to put in an average of 53 hours a week to afford a one-bedroom home here.

That same worker would have to work 92 hours to afford a one-bedroom in Snohomish or King County.

The Seattle Times reports a worker would have to earn $39 per hour, or about $81,000 per year, to afford a two bedroom apartment in the Seattle-Bellevue area.

Housing advocates say a home should take up no more than 30% of a person’s average monthly salary, but that’s impossible for many workers.