$15 an hour: the difference it would make
In Seattle and most other cities we looked at, an inexpensive apartment* is unaffordable to someone making the current minimum wage, far exceeding the accepted "rent burden" threshold of 30 percent of income.
At a $15 wage, an inexpensive apartment becomes affordable in most of these cities — though in the priciest ones, like Seattle, it's still too expensive.
*At the 25th percentile of all rents in each city.
Minimum wage:
Current
$15/hour
{{city.name}}
${{city.minwage}}
${{city.rent}}
{{city['percent' + when].split(".")[0]}}%
${{city.monthly | number : 0}}
$2,400
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Seattle Times reporting
AUDREY CARLSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES