Home Affordability for Washington (2026)
Washington (WA) Key Facts
Median Home Price
$570,000
Median Household Income
$82,000
Affordability Index
288
Price to Income Ratio
7.0
Max Affordable Payment (28% Rule)
$1,913
How This Calculator Works in Washington
This home affordability calculator estimates how much house you can afford in Washington based on your income, debts, down payment, and current interest rates. It accounts for Washington's property tax rate and insurance costs to give you a realistic maximum home price. Enter your financial details to see whether the median-priced home in Washington is within your reach.
Washington Overview
Washington has a median home price of approximately $570,000 and a median household income of $82,000, yielding a price-to-income ratio of 7.0. Because Washington has no state income tax, residents keep more of their gross pay, effectively stretching their housing budgets further than in income-tax states. Property taxes average 1.03%, which meaningfully impacts monthly housing costs.
How Washington Compares
Washington's price-to-income ratio of 7.0 is above the national average of roughly 5.5. Nearby Oregon has a median price of $480,000 and median income of $70,000, yielding a ratio of 6.9. Differences in property taxes and insurance costs between states further shift the true cost of homeownership.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $480,000 | Median home price is $480,000 with a median household income of approximately $70,000. The price-to-income ratio is 6.9. |
| Idaho | $440,000 | Median home price is $440,000 with a median household income of approximately $62,000. The price-to-income ratio is 7.1. |
| California | $750,000 | Median home price is $750,000 with a median household income of approximately $85,000. The price-to-income ratio is 8.8. |
With a median home price of $570,000 and a median household income of $82,000, Washington has a price-to-income ratio of 7.0. The national average price-to-income ratio is approximately 5.5. Washington is less affordable than the national average.
Tips for Washington Residents
- 1The median household income in Washington is $82,000. Under the 28% rule, this supports a maximum monthly housing payment of about $1,913, including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.
- 2Washington's price-to-income ratio of 7.0 means the typical home costs 7.0 times the annual median income. This is stretched by national standards, so saving aggressively and exploring assistance programs is critical.
- 3Because Washington has no state income tax, residents keep more of their gross pay, effectively stretching their housing budgets further than in income-tax states.
- 4Property taxes in Washington average 1.03%, which adds $489 per month to your housing cost on the median home. Don't overlook this when calculating affordability.
- 5Look into Washington's first-time homebuyer assistance programs, which may include down payment grants, low-interest second mortgages, or mortgage credit certificates (MCCs) that provide a federal tax credit on mortgage interest.