Can You Afford a Home in Seattle, WA?
A typical home in Seattle is worth $851,471, down 1.8% over the past year. That is $2K below the King County typical of $853,410.
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Assumes housing costs stay at 33% of gross income — the sustainable middle, not the maximum a lender would approve. A typical home in Seattle costs $851,471. Rates as of 5 September 2026; they move weekly and your quote will differ.
What each income level buys in King County
Prices below are what keeps housing at 33% of gross income, using King County’s 0.84% effective property tax rate. The Conventional column assumes 20% down; the zero-down columns finance the funding fee into the loan.
| Household income | Conventional | VA | Zero-down CU | FHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $318,000 | $263,000 | $241,000 | $257,000 |
| $100,000 | $435,000 | $360,000 | $330,000 | $352,000 |
| $125,000 | $552,000 | $457,000 | $419,000 | $446,000 |
| $150,000 | $670,000 | $554,000 | $508,000 | $541,000 |
| $200,000 | $904,000 | $748,000 | $686,000 | $731,000 |
How Seattle compares to nearby towns
| Town | Typical home | Year over year | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond | $764,109 | -2.6% | $170,000 |
| Maple Valley | $784,011 | -2.4% | $174,000 |
| Shoreline | $803,451 | -2.5% | $179,000 |
| Seattle (this page) | $851,471 | -1.8% | $189,000 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | $852,886 | +1.7% | $189,000 |
| Ravensdale | $881,951 | -2.1% | $195,000 |
| Vashon | $901,719 | -2.3% | $199,000 |
If Seattle is out of reach, Black Diamond, Maple Valley, Shoreline sit lower in the same county — same commute shed, same schools district-by-district, less money.
What this does not tell you
These are typical values, not listings. Half the homes in Seattle sell for less than $851,471, and condos and townhomes sit well below it. Property tax is a county-wide effective rate, so your parcel will differ. Insurance is a state average. Run your own numbers with your own quote before you take any of this as settled.