| Index | Burien | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 139 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 106 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 107 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 206 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 114 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 109 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 109 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 121 | 117 | 100 |
The cost of living in Burien affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Burien is 139, which is 39% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Burien is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Burien falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Burien cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 106.1% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 6 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Burien. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 33% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 67% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Burien affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Burien, the median home price is 132% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 45.6% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Burien boasting a median household income of $107,339, 32% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Burien, the utilities index stands at 9% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Burien, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and the income tax rates commence at 0%.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Burien, the groceries index is 6% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Burien are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $157,686 | $13,141 | $3,679 | $4,731 |
| Renters | $72,062 | $6,005 | $1,681 | $2,162 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Washington | 6.5% | 10.4% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Washington | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Navy Yard City, WA | 3,049 | 110 | 10.0% |
| Fairwood CDP (Spokane County), WA | 8,331 | 113 | 13.4% |
| East Port Orchard, WA | 5,187 | 118 | 17.8% |
| Bremerton, WA | 42,880 | 119 | 18.8% |
| Enetai, WA | 2,067 | 120 | 19.9% |
| Burien, WA | 53,010 | 139 | 38.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Grand Island, NE | 53,008 | 91 | 8.5% |
| Wheaton, MD | 53,031 | 137 | 37.0% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 53,047 | 112 | 11.5% |
| La Crosse, WI | 53,074 | 95 | 5.4% |
| Logan, UT | 53,108 | 104 | 3.9% |
| Burien, WA | 53,010 | 139 | 38.9% |
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