To Afford Seattle Rent, You Need Nearly $91,000 A Year

Seattle renters now need an annual income of nearly $91,000 to afford typical rent, a 23% increase in five years. Zillow's data uses the 30% income allocation guideline for rent affordability. The typical Seattle-area rent was $2,271 in April, requiring $90,840 income, making it the 11th highest in the US. Seattle's median household income of $110,744 helps many families, but single earners struggle. Per capita income in Seattle was $82,508 last year, below the income needed for comfortable rent payment. Nationally, typical rents are lower at $2,024 per month, requiring around $80,949 in annual income. Housing costs have increased faster than wages since the pandemic, according to Zillow's economist Orphe Divounguy. This makes saving for a down payment challenging. The data highlights the growing disparity between housing costs and wages, even in high-income areas like Seattle.