Fair Market Rent

In Washington State, the Fair Market Rent for a two bedroom unit is currently $728 per month.  In the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett area it is $845 per month.

An extremely low income household (earning 30% of the Area Median Income of $60,200) can afford monthly rent of no more than $452.

A minimum wage earner (earning $6.72 per hour) can afford monthly rent of no more than $349.

An SSI (Social Security Insurance) recipient (receiving $532 monthly) can afford monthly rent of no more than $160, while the Fair Market Rent for a one bedroom unit is $573.

In Washington, a worker earning the minimum wage ($6.72 per hour) must work 83 hours per week in order to afford a two bedroom unit at the state’s Fair Market Rent.

In Washington, 44% of renter households pay more than 30% of their income for rent.

Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition, Out of Reach, 2001