Published:
September 7, 2017
Last updated:
January 21, 2026
The Cost of Buying a Home in Seattle, Updated for 2026
In This Article

The cost of buying a home in Seattle, Washington has risen steadily and sharply over the past few years. But decreasing mortgage rates could give home buyers a bit more breathing room.

Are you planning to buy a home in Seattle at some point in 2026? If so, are you familiar with home prices in the city? Let’s dive in deeper into the real estate market in Seattle to find out how much it will cost you to buy a home in Seattle in 2026.

Seattle Home Prices Stable 

According to data published recently by real estate research firm, Zillow, the median single-family home price in Seattle decreased 2.1% by January 2026, compared to a year earlier. The median price dipped to $832,857. In King County as a whole, the median home price also decreased year-over-year.

That said, home prices in this area are high relative to elsewhere in the state. Given these high prices, buyers wishing to get into the market in 2026 may encounter higher costs.

A Forecast for Home Price Appreciation

Despite slight decreases over the past 12 months, experts expect home prices to steadily increase over the coming months.

Seattle homeowners who got into the market during the rise in home prices years back are enjoying modest returns on their investments. For today’s buyers, now may be a great time to enter the real estate market in Seattle.

Today’s Seattle Mortgage Rates

Mortgage Rates Have Dipped

Overall, the cost of buying a home in Seattle is quite a bit more compared to other parts of the state or country. But, as already mentioned, there is some worrisome news for home buyers. In January 2026, mortgage rates sat at 6.06% for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, which is rather high but still lower than the same time last year.

High home prices in Seattle and rising inflation and mortgage rates are making home buying less affordable in the city. The good news is that rates are starting to dip, and should be lower by early 2026.

Disclaimer: This article contains data, trends and forecasts relating to the Seattle real estate market in 2026. This information was gathered from third-party sources not associated with our company. We have presented it here as an educational service to our readers.

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Have Questions About Mortgages in Seattle?

Sammamish Mortgage is a local, family-owned company based in Bellevue, WA. We serve the broader Pacific Northwest region, including Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Colorado, and California. We have been offering a wide variety of mortgage programs and tools with flexible qualification criteria since 1992. Visit our website to get an instant rate quote or to use our mortgage calculator to estimate your loan costs. Please contact us if you have mortgage-related questions or to get pre-approved for a mortgage.