In Chehalis, a typical home is worth $372,900 and typical rent is $1,102 a month. Compared with all of Lewis County, the share of households that own their home is 23 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $413,337 to $474,055.
Typical rent
$1,476a month
Typical rent from Zillow, June 2026 to September 2026: from $1,524 to $1,476.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Chehalis is in Lewis County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Lewis County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
53% of households in Chehalis own their home, against 76% in Lewis County.
2
Chehalis has the 13th lowest typical rent of the 190 cities in Washington with more than 5,000 people ($1,102).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Chehalis
What homes there are in Chehalis, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Chehalis
Lewis County
Washington
United States
Kind of home: Chehalis and its comparisons
Measure
Chehalis
Lewis County
Washington
United States
Detached house
62%
72%
62%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
2%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
7%
4%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
29%
7%
22%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
15%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
1%
0%
0%
In Chehalis, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Lewis County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Chehalis
Lewis County
Washington
United States
Year built: Chehalis and its comparisons
Measure
Chehalis
Lewis County
Washington
United States
Before 1960
45%
26%
21%
26%
1960–1979
25%
24%
23%
24%
1980–1999
18%
27%
27%
25%
2000–2009
9%
13%
15%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
9%
14%
11%
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300K14%
$300K–$500K67%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Chehalis and its comparisons
Measure
Chehalis
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
14%
$300K–$500K
67%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99936%
$1,000–$1,49943%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Chehalis and its comparisons
Measure
Chehalis
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
36%
$1,000–$1,499
43%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$1,995 a month
Lewis County: $1,886 a month
Without a mortgage
$579 a month
Lewis County: $578 a month
Owners with a mortgage
73%
Lewis County: 60%
In Chehalis, 73% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,995 a month, against $1,886 in Lewis County. Without one it drops to $579.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Chehalis+105%
Lewis County+84%
Washington+67%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Chehalis+27%
Lewis County+25%
Washington+40%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Chehalis+75%
Lewis County+40%
Washington+33%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Chehalis and its comparisons
Measure
Chehalis
Lewis County
Washington
United States
Typical home value
+105%
+84%
+67%
+53%
Typical rent
+27%
+25%
+40%
+33%
Typical household income
+75%
+40%
+33%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Chehalis rose 105%; in Lewis County, it rose 84%.
Much as in Lewis County, the typical rent in Chehalis rose 27% since 2015–2019.
The typical household income in Chehalis rose 75% over that time; home values changed +105% and rent +27%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Chehalis and its comparisons
Measure
Chehalis
Lewis County
Washington
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
3.9%
4.5%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.7%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
3.3%
3.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.59
2.56
2.50
2.53
Drive alone
75%
75%
63%
69%
Carpool
12%
11%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
3%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
3%
4%
3%
Work from home
10%
10%
20%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
A household in Chehalis has 2.59 people on average, about the same as in Lewis County (2.56).
To get to work, 75% of workers in Chehalis drive alone; in Lewis County, 75%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Chehalis?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Chehalis, worth $372,900, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 49% of the typical household income in Chehalis, which is $73,702 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $129,353 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Lewis County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Chehalis. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $13,052 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$3,018
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$366,145
Total interest
$526,797
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $6,297 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,720 a month
Tight
$1,720 to $2,211 a month
Hard
more than $2,211 a month
Your payment · 49%
Compared with the typical household income in Chehalis ($73,702 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,480
Property tax
$218
Home insurance
$155
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$165
You need at least $13,052 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $3,018; principal and interest $2,480.
The city and its county
Chehalis and Lewis County
Chehalis is in Lewis County, Washington. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Chehalis
Map of Lewis County, Washington, with Chehalis marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Chehalis
Lewis County
Other cities with a page
Chehalis's own numbers
Typical home value
$372,900
Typical monthly rent
$1,102
Typical yearly household income
$73,702
Households that own their home
53%
Effective property tax rate
0.7%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Lewis County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,435
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+53%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Lewis County.
A typical home in Chehalis is worth $372,900: 3% below the county and 34% below Washington. With the typical household income in Chehalis ($73,702 a year), a typical home costs 5.1 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Chehalis5.1 years
Lewis5.2 years
Washington5.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Lewis County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Lewis County rose 147% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Lewis County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Lewis County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +9.2% +9.2% 2016
2017: +12.4% +12.4% 2017
2018: +10.4% +10.4% 2018
2019: +10.6% +10.6% 2019
2020: +7.6% +7.6% 2020
2021: +17.6% +17.6% 2021
2022: +18.3% +18.3% 2022
2023: +1.1% +1.1% 2023
2024: +4.9% +4.9% 2024
2025: +3.6% +3.6% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Lewis County, Washington and the United States
Period
County
Washington
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+3.6%
+1.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+53%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+147%
+113%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Chehalis next to Lewis County, Washington and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Chehalis$372,900
Lewis$385,800
Washington$564,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Chehalis$1,102
Lewis$1,097
Washington$1,760
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Chehalis$73,702
Lewis$74,796
Washington$98,141
United States$80,734
See the full table
Chehalis next to Lewis County and Washington
Measure
Chehalis
Lewis County
Washington
U.S.
Typical home value
$372,900 ▼3% below the county
$385,800
$564,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,102
$1,097
$1,760
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$73,702
$74,796
$98,141
$80,734
Households that own their home
53% ▼23 points below the county
76%
64%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,605
$2,581
$4,556
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.7% ▲0.03 points above the county
0.67%
0.81%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
49% ▼1 points below the county
50%
50%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Lewis County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Chehalis
For a typical $372,900 home in Chehalis, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Chehalis's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$3,018a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$13,052
Cash to close
$24,239
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $165
Conventional, 5% down$2,950a month
Down payment
$18,645
Cash to close
$29,832
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $177
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,394a month
Down payment
$74,580
Cash to close
$85,767
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,739a month
Down payment
$55,935
Cash to close
$67,122
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Chehalis
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$3,018
$13,052
$366,146
7.18%
FHA MIP · $165
$24,239
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,950
$18,645
$354,255
7.18%
PMI · $177
$29,832
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,394
$74,580
$298,320
7.18%
None
$85,767
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,739
$55,935
$316,965
8.18%
None
$67,122
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Chehalis is $1,102 a month: about the same as the county. In Chehalis, 49% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Lewis County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,435 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $27.60 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Lewis County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$999
$19.21
$39,960
1 bedroom
$1,097
$21.10
$43,880
2 bedrooms
$1,435
$27.60
$57,400
3 bedrooms
$1,870
$35.96
$74,800
4 bedrooms
$2,177
$41.87
$87,080
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Chehalis
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Chehalis is in ZIP code 98532.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,430: $5 less than the fair market rent for Lewis County ($1,435).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Chehalis, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
98532
$1,000
$1,090
$1,430
$1,860
$2,170
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
98532 $1,430$1,860
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Chehalis when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 5 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Chehalis. These are the largest.
Vintage at Chehalis1590 N National Ave, Chehalis 98532150 homes, 148 low-income · 1 bd: 67 · 2 bd: 83 · In service since 2009 · For older adults, people with disabilities
Chehalis Avenue Apartments366 SW 3rd St, Chehalis 9853260 low-income homes · 2 bd: 31 · 3 bd: 19 · 4 bd: 10 · In service since 2017 · For families(360) 748-3281
Providence Place350 SE Washington Ave, Chehalis 9853240 homes, 39 low-income · For older adults(360) 740-7518
Chehalis Manor300 S Market Blvd, Chehalis 9853233 homes, 32 low-income · For older adults(360) 748-6261
Chehalis Valley Apartments1025 SW 20th St, Chehalis 9853226 homes, 25 low-income · 2 bd: 7 · 3 bd: 12 · 4 bd: 7 · In service since 1999 · For people with disabilities, families
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Lewis County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Chehalis or Lewis County. The ones below are statewide in Washington: they work in Chehalis the same as in the rest of the state.
Washington state commission 0% second mortgage for 3%, 4% or 5% of the first mortgage, with no monthly payments; you do not need to be a first-time buyer.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Washington state commission loan with no monthly payments of up to 20% of the price (maximum $150,000) plus closing costs, for first-time buyers whose family lived in Washington before 1968 and belonged to a group affected by housing discrimination, including Hispanic people.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Washington state commission loan of up to $15,000 at 1% simple interest, with no monthly payments, for the down payment and closing costs of first-time buyers with the House Key Opportunity mortgage.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
No legal help resource on our list is for Chehalis or Lewis County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Chehalis and all of Lewis County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Chehalis?
The typical home value in Chehalis is $372,900, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Lewis County it is $385,800.
How much does it cost to rent in Chehalis?
Typical rent in Chehalis is $1,102 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Lewis County is $1,435.
What is the FHA loan limit in Chehalis?
Chehalis uses the FHA limit for all of Lewis County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Chehalis?
The typical homeowner in Chehalis pays $2,605 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.7% of the home’s value; in Lewis County, the rate is 0.67%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Chehalis?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Lewis County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
