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Thinking of buying a home in Seattle some time this year or next? How much can you actually afford in a home purchase?
How much house can I afford to buy in Seattle in 2026, when using a mortgage loan?
This is a common question among home buyers planning to enter the market in 2026. Here’s an updated look at housing market conditions and other factors that will help you answer this important question: How much house can you afford in Seattle?
It’s an understatement to say that home prices in Seattle have been on the rise over the past few years. They’re certainly some of the highest home prices in the entire state, and even the entire country.
As of early 2026 prices of homes in Seattle have decreased from last year. The market has been somewhat cool though still competitive over the past 12 months. That said, forecasts suggest that home prices in Seattle will inch up over 2026.
The median price for Seattle property is about $832,800, as per Zillow.
Related: Home Buyer Closing Costs in Washington State
Home buyers who are willing to expand their searches to include surrounding areas could afford to buy a home.
When you look at nearby neighborhoods, the prices are less than half. For instance, prices in nearby Kent, Tacoma, and Federal Way are currently at $635,400, $481,100, and $580,400, respectively (as of February 2026). Keep this in mind when trying to determine how much house you can afford in Seattle. Broadening your search could get you more house.
Keep this in mind when trying to determine how much house you can afford in Seattle. Broadening your search could get you into a home you desire.
If you’re going to use a mortgage loan to buy a house in Seattle, it’s a good idea to put a basic budget on paper first. This will help you narrow your housing search to the kinds of properties you can actually afford, based on your monthly housing budget.
It doesn’t have to be anything complex. You just want to know how much money you have left over each month after covering all of your recurring debts and expenses. That’s the starting point for determining your housing budget.
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage loan can also help you determine how much house you can afford to buy in Seattle. And this is an area where we can assist you. We can review your current financial situation — including income and debts — to determine how much of a loan you might be able to take on.
Banks and mortgage companies use something known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) to determine how much a person can borrow for a home loan. This is another factor that can affect how much of a house you’re able to buy in Seattle during 2026.
As the name suggests, a debt-to-income ratio is simply a comparison between the amount of money you spend each month on your recurring debts and the amount you earn in the form of income. DTI limits can vary from one mortgage loan program to the next. Generally speaking, however, most home loans have a limit somewhere around 45% to 50% for the total debt-to-income ratio. But it varies.
Will you need mortgage financing to buy a home in Seattle, WA? We can help. Sammamish Mortgage has been serving buyers across the Pacific Northwest since 1992 including WA, OR, CO, ID, & CA. We offer a wide variety of mortgage programs and products with flexible qualification criteria, including our Diamond Homebuyer Program, Cash Buyer Program, and Bridge Loans, among others. Visit our website to get an instant rate quote or to use our online mortgage calculator. Please contact us if you have any questions or are ready 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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