Burien, WA vs Mercer Island, WA

The cost of living difference between Burien, WA and Mercer Island, WA is dramatic. Burien is 47.1% cheaper than Mercer Island, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burien has a cost index of 142 while Mercer Island sits at 269, 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 $2,464/month in Mercer Island — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Burien is more affordable at $609,300 median vs $1,884,200.

Median household income in Burien is $90,597 compared to $202,359 in Mercer Island (-55.2%). While Mercer Island 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, more than the 14.6% in Mercer Island.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 53.8°F). Burien receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 36.5" in Mercer Island.