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Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Auburn

Affordable Housing in Auburn, WA

Auburn has 24 income-based rental properties with 3,301 total units, making it one of the more substantial affordable housing markets in the greater Seattle area. With a median market rent of $1,786 per month (Census ACS 5-Year), income-based housing here can offer meaningful savings for eligible renters. Of the 8 properties with inspection scores on file, all rated good or excellent.

24
Properties
3,301
Total units
85/100
Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability
$1,786/mo

Affordability in Auburn, WA

According to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024), the median monthly rent in Auburn is $1,786 and the median household income is $97,884 annually. About 39% of Auburn residents rent their homes, reflecting a mix of owners and renters in the city.

Lease Lantern tracks 9 affordable housing properties totaling 355 units in Auburn, including HUD-assisted and income-based rentals that offer rents below market rate for qualifying households.

Census ACS 5-Year
🛡️ Safety
546 / 100k · 2024

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Auburn Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 546 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Note that crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and local definitions.

FBI Crime Data Explorer
🚶 Getting around
Walk Score 12 · Car-Dependent

Getting Around Auburn

According to Walk Score, the area around Auburn's assisted properties is Car-Dependent (Walk Score 12), with Some Transit (Transit Score 25) and a Bike Score of 64. Scores reflect walkability, transit access, and bikeability near these specific properties.

Walk Score
🎓 Schools
34 schools · 3 districts

Schools

Auburn is served by 34 public schools across 3 districts -- including 20 elementary, 6 middle, and 8 high schools -- according to NCES Common Core of Data. Ratings vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address before applying.

NCES Common Core of Data
📊 Cost of living
$97,884 median income

Cost of Living in Auburn, WA

The median household income in Auburn is $97,884 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The median market-rate rent is $1,786 per month, which can make affordable and income-based housing an important resource for renters whose earnings fall well below that median.

Income-restricted units at HUD-assisted and LIHTC properties in Auburn are priced based on area median income (AMI) limits set by HUD, meaning your actual rent is tied to what you earn, not to market rates.

  • Median household income: $97,884/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Median market rent: $1,786/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Share of renter households: 39% (Census ACS 5-Year)
Census ACS 5-Year
🌊 Environment & risk

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 9 HUD-assisted properties in Auburn have been mapped for flood risk. None are located in a high-risk flood zone, which is a low level of flood exposure across the city's affordable housing inventory.

FEMA · EPA AirNow
HUD Inspection Scoresavg 85/100(8 of 24 scored)
90+ (2)70–89 (6)No score (16)

24 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 24 affordable apartments in Auburn→

Other cities in WA

› Affordable housing in Bellevue› Bremerton income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Centralia› Cheney affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Everett› Affordable housing in Kennewick› Lynnwood income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Moses Lake› Olympia affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Port Orchard› Affordable housing in Renton› Richland income-based apartments

Your rights & resources

› How HUD & Section 8 housing works› Tenant rights in WA› Housing assistance & waitlists› Free legal aid (LawHelp)› Energy bill help (LIHEAP)

Read more

Auburn Affordable Housing: What Renters Should Know

Auburn, WA has 9 HUD-assisted or income-based rental properties totaling 355 units tracked by Lease Lantern. Of the 8 properties with inspection scores, 2 rated excellent and 6 rated good, with none falling into fair or poor categories.

The median monthly rent in Auburn is $1,786, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024). Income-restricted housing can offer meaningful savings for eligible renters in this market.

About 39% of Auburn households rent their homes, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024).

Auburn's violent crime rate was 332 per 100,000 residents in 2024, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer (Auburn Police Department).

Auburn is rated Car-Dependent for walkability, with Some Transit available, according to Walk Score. Residents without a car should factor transportation options into their search.

All 9 tracked properties were mapped for flood risk; none are in a high-risk flood zone, according to HUD-assisted property data.

Auburn is served by 3 school districts with 34 public schools -- including 20 elementary, 6 middle, and 8 high schools -- according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Eligibility & how to apply

Washington income limits (2026)Washington public housing authoritiesSection 8 waitlists in Washington

Helpful guides

How Section 8 Vouchers WorkWhat Is Income-Based Housing?How to Apply for Affordable HousingSection 8 vs. LIHTCUnderstanding HUD Inspection ScoresHow Affordable Housing Waitlists Work
Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →