Is Burien Safe, Pros and cons of living in Burien

Burien, Washington, offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility, nestled between the vibrant cities of Seattle and Tacoma. This King County locale boasts a strong sense of community, attractive natural surroundings, and a growing economy. As potential residents consider a move, understanding the various facets of life in Burien is essential.

This guide delves into the key aspects of living in Burien, covering safety, the cost of living, employment opportunities, climate, education, and the diverse population that calls this city home. By providing a comprehensive overview, prospective residents can make informed decisions about whether Burien aligns with their lifestyle and needs.

Is it Safe to Live in Burien?

Burien’s overall crime rate is higher than both the state and national averages (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect). In a typical year, the crime rate stands at 54.35 per 1,000 residents (as reported by Burien, WA Crime Rates: Stats & Map). Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is approximately 1 in 243, and for property crime, it’s about 1 in 30 (as reported by Burien, WA Crime Rates: Stats & Map).

However, it’s important to note that crime rates have been on the decline, with an 8.5% decrease reported from 2022 to 2023 (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect). Some residents consider the southwest part of the city to be the safest, with crime varying by neighborhood (as reported by The Safest and Most Dangerous Places in Burien, WA: Crime Maps and Statistics).

Crime Statistics Overview

In terms of specific crime categories, Burien has seen a significant increase in murders, rising by 200% from 2022 to 2023 (as reported by According to latest Sheriffs and Police Chiefs report, Burien’s overall crime rate decreased). Motor vehicle thefts also increased by 18.4% from 2022 to 2023 (as reported by According to latest Sheriffs and Police Chiefs report, Burien’s overall crime rate decreased). Conversely, incidents like burglary and larceny-theft have decreased (as reported by According to latest Sheriffs and Police Chiefs report, Burien’s overall crime rate decreased).

The cost of crime per resident in Burien is approximately $809 annually, which is higher than both the national and state averages (as reported by The Safest and Most Dangerous Places in Burien, WA: Crime Maps and Statistics). This figure includes criminal justice system costs, direct costs to victims, and lost economic contributions from offenders (as reported by The Safest and Most Dangerous Places in Burien, WA: Crime Maps and Statistics).

Cost of Living in Burien

Burien is considered an expensive city, with a Cost of Living Index of 158.1, meaning it is 58.1% more expensive than the national average (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to What to Expect). The median household income in Burien is $91,318 (as reported by Burien, WA Demographics: Population, Income, and More). To live comfortably as a family of four, an annual income of approximately $135,140 would be needed (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect).

Housing Costs

The housing market in Burien is competitive, with home prices significantly higher than the national average. The median home price in Burien is around $770,000 (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect), and the median home value is $650,469, which has seen a slight decrease over the past year (as reported by Burien, WA Housing Market: 2026 Home Prices & Trends). The median sale price of a home was $670K in March 2026 (as reported by Burien, WA Housing Market: 2026 Home Prices & Trends).

For renters, the average rent in Burien is approximately $1,725 per month (as reported by Burien, WA Market Trends – Movoto). A one-bedroom apartment averages around $1,725 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment can cost approximately $2,000 per month (as reported by Rental Market Trends & Average Rent in Burien, WA). Studio apartments average about $1,275 per month (as reported by Rental Market Trends & Average Rent in Burien, WA).

Salaries and Income

The average annual salary in Burien is approximately $61,453, which translates to about $29.54 per hour (as reported by What is the Average Salary in Burien, Washington? (Apr 2026)). Most salaries in Burien range between $38,902 and $82,240 (as reported by What is the Average Salary in Burien, Washington? (Apr 2026)).

For those considering a move, it’s noted that the median household income in Burien is $91,318 (as reported by Burien, WA Demographics: Population, Income, and More), which is slightly higher than the state average of $90,325 (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect).

Job Market and Major Employers

While many Burien residents commute to surrounding cities for work, the city itself supports a growing job market. The City of Burien has an Economic Development department focused on assisting new businesses and helping residents find employment (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect).

Major employers in Burien include Highline Public Schools, Kaiser Permanente, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (as reported by Major Employers in Burien, WA). Other significant employers encompass Burien Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Burien Toyota, and Highline College (as reported by Major Employers in Burien, WA).

Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate in Burien is currently 6.60%, which is higher than the long-term average (as reported by Burien, WA Unemployment Rate (Monthly) – Historical Data & …). This figure represents a slight increase compared to the previous month and the prior year (as reported by Burien, WA Unemployment Rate (Monthly) – Historical Data & …).

Climate in Burien

Burien experiences a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, characterized by dry summers and wet winters (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect). The average summer temperature in Burien is around 67°F, while the average winter temperature is about 42°F (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect).

Temperature and Rainfall

The hottest month in Burien is August, with average high temperatures around 77°F and lows of 57°F (as reported by Burien Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Washington, United States)). The coolest month is December, with average low temperatures of 38°F and highs of 46°F (as reported by Burien Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Washington, United States)). The city receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 38.9 inches (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect).

Rainfall is most significant in November, averaging about 7.5 inches, while July sees the least rain, with an average of 0.7 inches (as reported by Burien Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Washington, United States)). Snowfall is minimal, with an average of 5.3 inches annually (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect).

Education in Burien

Students in Burien are primarily served by the Highline School District, which comprises 34 schools and over 2,000 staff members (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect). The district is known for its diversity, with 89 different languages spoken across its schools (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect).

Overall, 83.8% of Burien residents hold a high school degree or higher, and 29.9% have a bachelor’s degree or higher (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect). In terms of age demographics, approximately 16.7% of residents are children under 15, and 15.9% are aged 65 or older (as reported by Burien Demographics | Current Washington Census Data).

Demographics of Burien

Burien has a population of approximately 51,513 residents (as reported by Burien, WA Demographics: Population, Income, and More). The city is ethnically diverse, with White individuals forming the largest group at 45.7%, followed by Hispanic residents at 24.2%, and Asian residents at 15.3% (as reported by Burien Demographics | Current Washington Census Data).

The median age in Burien is around 40.4 years (as reported by Burien, WA Demographics: Population, Income, and More). The foreign-born population constitutes about 23.6% of residents (as reported by Moving to Burien? Here’s Why You’ll Love Living in Burien WA + What to Expect).