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Are you thinking of buying a home in Washington State some time in 2026? Are Seattle and Everett on your shortlist?
This article compares the real estate markets in Seattle and Everett, Washington from a home buyer’s perspective. As of January 2026, homes are still a lot more affordable in Everett compared to Seattle.
With its bustling job market and plentiful attractions, Seattle remains a top spot for home buyers in the Pacific Northwest. But the city has become increasingly pricey over the last few years, with a median home value that’s now $832,857.
There are alternatives, though. While home values have risen across the metro area, some cities offer relative bargains. Take nearby Everett, Washington. The city’s median home value is just over half that of Seattle’s.
From a cost perspective, there are dramatic differences between the real estate markets in Everett and Seattle, Washington. Home buyers considering a purchase should know that the median home value in Seattle was nearly $200,000 higher than the median in nearby Everett, as of January 2026.
Granted, price isn’t the only factor to consider when buying a home in Seattle or Everett in 2026. But it’s a major consideration, especially given the dramatic cost gap between these two cities.
What these two cities have in common is that prices have dipped slightly over the last couple of years.
On a county-wide basis, home prices in King County decreased 2.0% year over year, while prices in Snohomish County dipped 0.2% over the same time period.
The bottom line to all of this is that home buyers can find more affordable properties in Everett, when compared to the much pricier Seattle real estate market. But both of these markets have constrained inventory, leaving fewer homes on the market for buyers to snatch up. There currently aren’t enough homes listed for sale to meet the demand from buyers. (This is true for both cities).
So, is it a good time to buy in Everett or Seattle? Should you make a purchase in 2026?
While there are many factors that go into this kind of decision, cost and resale potential top the list. Costs in Seattle are already high, though things have simmered down somewhat. And costs in Everett, though much cheaper than Seattle, are on the increase.
So, buyers in the Seattle metro area who postpone their purchases until later in 2026 (or next year) could encounter higher housing costs.
Will you need mortgage financing to buy a home in Everett or Seattle? We can help. Sammamish Mortgage has been serving buyers across Washington, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and California since 1992. We offer a wide variety of mortgage programs with flexible qualification criteria, including our Diamond Homebuyer Program, Cash Buyer Program, and Jumbo Loans, among others. Visit our website to get an instant rate quote or use our mortgage calculator. Please contact us today with any financing-related questions you have or to get pre-approved for a mortgage.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.
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