Auburn, WA vs Burien, WA

Auburn is moderately more affordable than Burien, with a 6.3% lower cost of living index. Auburn scores 133 compared to 142 for Burien, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Burien can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $1,713/month compared to $1,742/month in Burien — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Auburn is more affordable at $510,400 median vs $609,300.

Median household income in Auburn is $95,367 compared to $90,597 in Burien (+5.3%). Auburn offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, less than the 23.1% in Burien.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 53.7°F). Burien receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 39.3" in Auburn.