Is Seattle Worth It? Real Estate Market Comparison Across Washington State

Look, I’m going to be straight with you.

Everyone thinks they know the Seattle real estate story. Tech money. $1.5 million homes. Bidding wars. Amazon employees with cash offers.

And yeah—all of that is true.

But here’s what drives me crazy: people act like “Washington real estate” and “Seattle real estate” are the same thing.

They’re not. Not even close.

I work in Pierce and Kitsap County. I see buyers every single week who are making decisions based on what they think they know about the Seattle market—and those assumptions are costing them money, opportunities, and sometimes their entire home-buying plan.

So let’s talk about what the Washington real estate market actually looks like when you zoom out from Seattle.

The Seattle Narrative (And Why It’s Incomplete)

Seattle’s expensive. We all know that.

Median home price in Seattle (King County): ~$850,000 – $950,000

That’s real. That’s not clickbait. That’s what you’re dealing with if you want to buy in Seattle proper or most of the Eastside.

But here’s the thing nobody says out loud: Washington State has 39 counties.

Seattle is one market. One data point. One set of buyer demographics.

When you step outside King County, the entire game changes. Different prices. Different inventory. Different competition. Different lifestyle trade-offs.

And most importantly? Different opportunities.

Let’s Look at the Actual Numbers

I’m not going to throw a hundred statistics at you. But here are the numbers that matter if you’re trying to figure out where to buy in Washington:

Median Home Prices (2026 Data):

Seattle (King County): ~$850,000 – $950,000
Bellevue (Eastside King County): ~$1,100,000 – $1,300,000
Tacoma (Pierce County): ~$550,000 – $650,000
Spokane (Spokane County): ~$450,000 – $500,000
Bellingham (Whatcom County): ~$650,000 – $750,000
Vancouver (Clark County): ~$550,000 – $600,000
Olympia (Thurston County): ~$500,000 – $550,000

Translation: You’re paying a $200,000 – $400,000 premium to be in Seattle compared to Tacoma, Spokane, or Olympia.

That’s not a judgment. That’s just math.

But Price Isn’t the Whole Story

Here’s where it gets interesting.

Everyone looks at price and stops there. That’s a mistake.

When I’m working with buyers who are comparing markets across Washington, here’s what we actually need to look at:

1. Days on Market (How Fast Homes Sell)

Seattle: 15-25 days average
Tacoma: 20-30 days average
Spokane: 25-35 days average

What this means: Seattle moves faster. More competition. Less time to think. Tacoma and Spokane give you more breathing room to make decisions.

2. Inventory Levels (How Many Homes Are Available)

Seattle’s inventory has been tight for years. We’re talking less than 1 month of supply in many neighborhoods.

Pierce County and Kitsap County? We’re usually sitting at 1.5 – 2.5 months of supply. Still a seller’s market, but not insane.

Spokane’s even better—sometimes pushing 3 months of supply.

What this means: More options = more negotiating power. Seattle buyers are scrapping for limited inventory. Other markets give you choices.

3. Price Per Square Foot

Seattle: $450 – $600/sq ft
Tacoma: $280 – $350/sq ft
Spokane: $220 – $280/sq ft

What this means: Your dollar goes significantly further outside Seattle. A $600K budget gets you 1,000 square feet in Seattle or 2,000 square feet in Tacoma. That’s real space.

4. Property Taxes

Washington has no state income tax, but property taxes hit hard.

King County (Seattle): ~0.92% effective rate
Pierce County (Tacoma): ~1.10% effective rate
Spokane County: ~1.05% effective rate

What this means: Pierce County property taxes are slightly higher as a percentage, but you’re paying them on a $600K home instead of a $900K home. The actual dollar amount ends up lower.

So Who Wins? Seattle or Everyone Else?

Wrong question.

This isn’t about “winning.” It’s about what you’re optimizing for.

Seattle Makes Sense If:

✅ Your job is in Seattle and remote work isn’t an option
✅ You value walkability, transit, urban density
✅ You want access to the most dining, culture, entertainment options in the state
✅ You’re okay with smaller spaces and higher costs for location
✅ You believe Seattle’s long-term appreciation will continue outpacing other markets

Tacoma/Pierce County Makes Sense If:

✅ You want a house with a yard (actual space)
✅ You can commute to Seattle occasionally or work remotely
✅ You want 80% of Seattle’s culture/food/scene at 60% of the cost
✅ You value neighborhood feel over urban density
✅ You’re looking for value and upside (Tacoma’s appreciation has been strong)

Spokane Makes Sense If:

✅ You want the most home for your dollar
✅ You’re okay being farther from the Seattle metro
✅ You value outdoor access (skiing, hiking, lakes)
✅ You want four real seasons
✅ You’re fully remote or your industry has a presence there

Bellingham Makes Sense If:

✅ You want a college town vibe
✅ Outdoor lifestyle is your #1 priority
✅ You like smaller community feel
✅ You’re willing to pay closer to Seattle prices for mountain/water access

The Trade-Offs Nobody Talks About

Here’s the real talk.

If you buy in Seattle:

You’re paying a premium for location, transit, walkability
You’re getting less space
You’re competing with more buyers who have more money
You’re banking on continued appreciation in an already-expensive market

If you buy outside Seattle:

You’re getting more space and better value
You’re giving up some convenience (commute, walkability, density)
You’re betting on growth in markets that have room to run
You might feel like you’re “settling” (even though you’re not)

Neither is right or wrong. It’s about what actually matters to you.

What I Tell My Clients

I specialize in Pierce and Kitsap County. I’m not going to pretend to be a Seattle expert—there are great agents up there who know that market inside and out.

But here’s what I do know:

90% of the buyers I work with are comparing Seattle to Tacoma/Gig Harbor/Port Orchard.

And here’s what I see happen over and over:

Scenario 1: Buyer gets priced out of Seattle, feels like they’re “compromising” by looking in Tacoma, ends up in a beautiful 2,000 sq ft house with a yard for $200K less than anything they saw in Seattle, and realizes they love it here.

Scenario 2: Buyer moves to Tacoma thinking they’ll save money, hates the commute to Seattle, feels disconnected from the urban life they loved, and regrets not just staying in Seattle and downsizing.

Both scenarios are real. Both happen.

The difference? The first buyer was honest about what they actually wanted. The second buyer was optimizing for price alone.

How to Actually Make This Decision

Stop thinking about this as “Seattle vs. not Seattle.”

Start thinking about it as:

What do I actually need from where I live?

How often do I need to be in Seattle for work?
Do I care about walkability or do I want a yard?
Am I optimizing for space or location?
What’s my actual budget (not what I wish it was)?
Where do I see myself in 10 years?

What am I willing to trade off?

Willing to commute 45 minutes for 1,000 extra square feet?
Willing to pay $300K more to walk to restaurants?
Willing to give up Seattle’s density for Tacoma’s neighborhood feel?

What does the data actually show?

Where is inventory available right now?
What’s my budget actually buying in each market?
Where does my down payment go furthest?
What are the long-term trends (appreciation, development, growth)?

The Bottom Line

Seattle’s expensive. We know.

But “expensive” is relative. If your budget is $1.5M and you want urban density, Seattle’s not expensive—it’s exactly what you’re looking for.

If your budget is $650K and you want a house with a yard, Seattle’s not expensive—it’s impossible.

The Washington real estate market isn’t one thing. It’s a dozen different markets with different dynamics, different opportunities, and different trade-offs.

The key is figuring out which market actually aligns with what you need—not what you think you’re “supposed” to want.

Look, here’s my bias: I think Tacoma is one of the best value plays in Washington right now. It’s close enough to Seattle to stay connected, far enough to be affordable, and it’s growing fast. You’re getting real space, real neighborhoods, and real value.

But maybe that’s not what you need. Maybe you’re all-in on Seattle urban life. Maybe Spokane’s lower cost and outdoor access is perfect for you. Maybe Bellingham’s vibe is exactly what you’ve been looking for.

There’s no wrong answer. There’s only the wrong answer for you.

Want the Real Breakdown for Your Situation?

I’m not here to sell you on Pierce County or talk you out of Seattle.

I’m here to help you look at the actual data, understand the real trade-offs, and figure out which Washington market makes sense for your budget, your lifestyle, and your goals.

If you’re comparing markets right now—Seattle vs. Tacoma vs. anywhere else in Washington—let’s talk through the numbers. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just real data and real talk.

P.S. — If you’re reading this from outside Washington and wondering if you should move here at all, that’s a different conversation. But if you’re already in Washington or planning to move here? The “Seattle or not” question is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Don’t base it on assumptions. Base it on data.