Buying a house in Western Washington seems out of reach for many wage workers. Affording rent is a struggle for many as well.

The state minimum wage is $15.74, but in Skagit County a two-bedroom apartment may cost $1,407, requiring an hourly wage of $27.06 to comfortably make that payment. That is the analysis in the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s annual report, which finds Washington is the fifth most expensive state in the nation for renters.

A one-bedroom Skagit County apartment can be $1,111, requiring a “housing wage” of $21.37 to reasonably afford – or enjoy – it. That is based...