Burien, WA vs Kent, WA

Burien, WA and Kent, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Burien scores 142 while Kent scores 139 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Burien is $1,742/month compared to $1,833/month in Kent — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Burien has cheaper rent, Kent actually has lower median home values ($537,500 vs $609,300).

Median household income in Burien is $90,597 compared to $90,416 in Kent (+0.2%). Burien does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Burien spend roughly 23.1% of their income on rent, less than the 24.3% in Kent.

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