The National Low Income Housing Coalition broke down what people need to earn hourly at their jobs in order to live in parts of Western Washington, including Seattle. It takes a person earning as much as $60 an hour to afford two-bedroom housing in parts of Seattle. The average hourly salary in Seattle is $24, but it costs nearly double that to afford two-bedroom housing throughout the metro area.
Washington’s Gov. Jay Inslee has been on a mission to talk about the housing crisis as much as he can. Homelessness and high prices could kill any legacy he may aim to be viewed as remarkably positive. Currently he is proposing that $4B be used to provide housing as a solution to what he calls the state’s “scourge of homelessness.”
The mayors idea also includes some of the $4B going towards affordable housing for lower- and middle-income workers, as well as down payment assistance for low-income first-time homebuyers. The average one-bedroom apartment in downtown Seattle runs about $2,300 a month, according to Kim Reidy, senior broker and relocation director at Pointe3 Real Estate for Seattle Rental Group.
An $100,000 annual income does not go far in this part of the country but that income is not enough to buy a single-family home in most parts of Snohomish County. Many families need two or three incomes to have a decent living. Check out what it takes to live in metro Seattle knowing what is just mentioned about Snohomish county:
– Seattle metro: $40-$60 per hour
– Snohomish County: $33-$40 per hour
– South King County: $33-$40 per hour
– Pierce County: $25-$31 per hour
It is being reported that rental prices is expected to get higher. This means that more people may be priced out of the market. 93% of the city of Lynnwood’s workforce did not live and work there. The Housing Authority of Snohomish County found that many people cannot afford to rent or buy an apartment or home in the cities they work. Many tack on extra by having to live and drive farther away.
