When you’re on the prowl for a new home, it’s not just the structure itself that you should be looking at, but also the location itself. The question is, should you buy in Washington State or Oregon? This article will help you make that decision.
With its natural beauty and strong job markets, the Pacific Northwest attracts residents from all over the country. Those looking to buy a new home have plenty of amazing locations to choose from in the region, including Washington and Oregon.
But many find themselves asking the same question: Should I buy a home in Oregon or Washington?
Here’s an updated look at housing costs when buying a home in Washington State versus Oregon in 2026.
At the statewide level, home prices in Washington and Oregon are not too far off from each other. Let’s take a closer looking at how buying a Washington home compares to buying a home in Oregon.
According to the real estate information company Zillow, the median home value for Washington State was $611,301 as of February 28, 2026. That was an increase of 1.0% from the same time a year before.
Buyers who buy a home in Washington will be able to take advantage of an increase in home equity along with this rate of appreciation. Buying sooner rather than later will also help buyers avoid paying more next year.
According to the same source, the median home price in Oregon rose to $494,577 as of February 28, 2026. That was 3.2% lower than at the same time a year earlier.
Again, considering the fact that home prices are expected to rise in the next few months, it might make sense to buy a home in Oregon sooner rather than later.
Income taxes are another consideration when deciding whether you should buy a home in Washington or Oregon. And there’s a clear difference here. Washington is one of only seven states in the country that do not charge income tax.
Oregon, on the other hand, does charge its resident’s income tax. Oregon, however, does not charge a sales tax on purchased goods, while Washington has a sales tax as high as 10%.
While these taxes are not directly related to housing costs, they do affect how much house you can actually afford to buy.
So, when you look at the states as a whole, buying a home in Washington versus Oregon is comparable from a cost perspective. However, if you zoom in on the most populous cities within each state — Seattle and Portland — the cost gap widens considerably.
Seattle is by far the most populous city in Washington. Portland holds that distinction within Oregon. When you compare the cost of buying a home in Seattle versus Portland, there is a much clearer distinction. So, how do the real estate markets in Seattle and Portland compare to each other? Let’s take a look:
According to Zillow, the median value for a home in Seattle is $847,975. Prices have decreased 1.7% over the past 12 months in Seattle.
Experts expect prices to increase at a modest pace over the next year, though perhaps not as quickly. If you wait until next year to buy a home in Seattle, you could find yourself spending more than you would if you jumped in the market today.
So, how does buying a house in Seattle compare with buying in Portland?
Home prices in Portland have remained stable over the past year. More specifically, the average price in Portland dipped slightly over the past 12 months and currently stands at $546,302. As you can see, prices in Portland are much lower than those of Seattle. That means it’s cheaper to buy a home in Portland compared to buying in Seattle.
But buying a Portland home will cost you more if you wait until next year to buy as opposed to buying today, so save money by making a move now.
More affordable homes can be found outside of these major cities. In a previous blog post, we looked at some of the more affordable real estate markets surrounding Seattle. Once you move outside of the city and into the surrounding areas, house values drop considerably.
Not only are the prices of homes important when it comes to affordability, but so are interest rates. A lower interest rate can make it possible to buy a more expensive home that may be impossible during times of higher mortgage rates.
Today, mortgage rates are lower than they were the same time last year. The rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage now sits at 6.30%, as of the week of April 16, 2026.
Considering this, now may be a good time to lock in at a lower rate to help make your mortgage more affordable for you to fit your budget.
If you’re buying real estate to use as a rental property, it’s good business to buy a home in either state. People love sales tax and income tax bennies, and there’s no denying that Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington both have beautiful views. Vancouver is another in demand metropolitan area in the region, and there are plenty of neighborhoods with terrific schools, public transportation, and other amenities.
If buying a home in Washington State or Oregon is on your agenda for this year, you’ll need a mortgage to help finance this big purchase, and Sammamish Mortgage can help. Based in Bellevue, WA, we offer mortgage financing to home buyers in Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, and Idaho. We’ve been serving borrowers since 1992 and are able to offer highly competitive rates on a variety of mortgage programs — including FHA, VA, and conventional loans. If you have questions or are ready to apply for a mortgage, contact us today, or visit our website to get an instant rate quote.
At the statewide level, Oregon home prices are lower than Washington home prices. Washington may offer savings in other ways because it has no state income tax, while Oregon has no state sales tax.
Washington has a higher statewide median home value than Oregon. That makes Oregon the more affordable option for many buyers focused on purchase price alone.
Yes. Seattle home prices are much higher than Portland home prices, so buyers comparing the two cities will usually find Portland more affordable.
Buying sooner may help avoid higher prices later if values continue to rise. It can also help buyers start building equity earlier.
Buying sooner may make sense if prices increase in the coming months. Waiting could lead to a higher purchase price even if current conditions feel more favorable.
No. Washington does not charge a state income tax, which can improve overall affordability for some homebuyers.
No. Oregon does not charge sales tax on purchased goods, which can help reduce everyday living costs.
Taxes affect overall affordability beyond the mortgage payment. Washington offers no state income tax, while Oregon offers no sales tax, so the better choice depends on your income, spending habits, and budget.
Yes. Mortgage rates directly affect monthly payments and purchasing power, so even small rate changes can influence how much home a buyer can afford in either state.
Yes. Home prices often drop outside the largest cities, so surrounding suburbs and smaller metro areas in Washington and Oregon may offer more affordable options.
Our loan officers are ready and waiting to help you apply for your home loan.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
Mortgage Support — 24/7
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.
Adjust the parameters based on what you want to track
