Burien, WA vs Renton, WA

Burien, WA and Renton, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Burien scores 142 while Renton scores 150 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 $1,923/month in Renton — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Burien is more affordable at $609,300 median vs $631,400.

Median household income in Burien is $90,597 compared to $96,626 in Renton (-6.2%). While Renton 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 23.9% in Renton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 53.6°F). Burien receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 34.7" in Renton.