The Oct. 3 front-page article on Snohomish County rents was very deceiving (“Sticker shock for rent”) While most people agree that rents are high and wages are low, these figures distorted reality. The average two-bedroom apartment in Snohomish County rents for less than $700. The HUD figure of 30 percent for housing expense would require a monthly income of $2335 or $14.60 an hour. So, two minimum wage earners in a two-bedroom apartment could afford most apartments in the Snohomish County area.
In what previous generation could one person earning the minimum wage afford a modest two-bedroom apartment? Have housing and wages really changed all that much? No.
The fact is, relative to increased expenses and inflation, current rents are below the market.
Everett
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