Burien, WA vs Ellensburg, WA

The cost of living difference between Burien, WA and Ellensburg, WA is dramatic. Ellensburg is 35.5% cheaper than Burien, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burien has a cost index of 142 while Ellensburg sits at 105, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Burien is $1,742/month compared to $1,258/month in Ellensburg — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ellensburg is more affordable at $357,800 median vs $609,300.

Median household income in Burien is $90,597 compared to $49,888 in Ellensburg (+81.6%). While Burien is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Burien spend roughly 23.1% of their income on rent, less than the 30.3% in Ellensburg. The Burien ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Burien is notably warmer with an average of 53.7°F compared to 50.1°F in Ellensburg. Burien receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 9.2" in Ellensburg.