The Housing Wage

The housing wage in Washington State is $14.00 per hour. 

This is the amount a worker would have to earn per hour to be able to work 40 hours per week and afford* a two bedroom unit at the state’s Fair Market Rent ($728).  This is 208% of the present minimum wage ($6.72 per hour). 

Between 2000 and 2001 the two bedroom housing wage in Washington State increased by 10.92%.

The housing wage in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett metropolitan area is $16.25.  This is 316% of the current minimum wage.  A worker earning minimum wage would need to work 126 hours per week to afford a two bedroom unit at the area's Fair Market Rent ($845).

* A unit is considered affordable if it costs no more than 30% of the renter's income.

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