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County in Washington

King County, Washington

King County is the most populous county in Washington, with 2,287,171 residents. King County has an FHA limit of $1,063,750 for one-unit homes. The typical home value here is $859,900. HUD's Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $2,549 a month; to pay it without spending more than 30% of your income, you need to earn about $49.02 an hour.

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  • Typical home price

    $859,900

    +52% vs. Washington +158% vs. U.S.

    Half of owner-occupied homes are worth more and half are worth less.

    • King
    • Washington
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

  • Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms

    $2,549 a month

    +25% vs. Washington +46% vs. U.S.

    HUD's reference rent for a two-bedroom apartment, with basic utilities.

    • King
    • Washington
    • United States

    Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

  • FHA limit 2026, 1 unit

    $1,063,750

    FHA high-cost area

    The most you can borrow with an FHA loan for a one-unit home here.

    • King
    • Floor
    • Ceiling

    Source: HUD, 2026 data

  • Property tax

    0.83% of value per year

    +2% vs. Washington −12% vs. U.S.

    $7,114 a year for the typical owner

    • King
    • Washington
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$824,870
2.2% less than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$2,323 a month
1.6% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Data from October 2026

In short

What is housing like in King County today?

The monthly payment on a typical home with FHA would be about $7,053, that is, 68% of the typical household income in King County. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $302,277 a year; the typical income here is $124,746. Homes here are worth 52% more than the average across Washington. Here 55% of households live in a home they own; across Washington it is 64%. The typical property tax is $7,114 a year (about 0.83% of home value), higher than in Washington. This is a high-cost area for FHA: the limit is above the national floor.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); HUD (2026 data).

Only here

What sets King County apart

  1. King County has the highest typical rent of the 39 counties in Washington: $2,092.

  2. King County has the highest typical household income of the 39 counties in Washington: $124,746.

  3. Of the 39 counties in Washington, King County has the highest typical home value: $859,900.

  4. King County has the highest typical rent in its area: $2,092, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Snohomish County ($1,949).

  5. King County has the highest typical home value in its area: $859,900, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Snohomish County ($696,000).

  6. At 55%, King County ranks 2nd among the 39 counties in Washington for the lowest homeownership rate.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in King County

What homes there are in King County, 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

In King County, 5 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Washington, 6.

Year built

In King County, half of the homes were built before 1983; in Washington, before 1985.

Homes in King County are smaller: 50% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Washington, 59%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

With an FHA limit of $1,063,750, at least 62% of owner-occupied homes in King County sit below it: they are worth less than $1,000,000.

Monthly rent with utilities

HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for this county is $2,549; about 71% of rents in King County are below it.

With a mortgage

$3,273 a month

Washington: $2,445 a month

Without a mortgage

$1,116 a month

Washington: $773 a month

Owners with a mortgage

70%

Washington: 66%

In King County, 70% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $3,273 a month, against $2,445 in Washington. Without one it drops to $1,116.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in King County rose 57%; in Washington, it rose 67%.

Rents in King County rose more slowly than in Washington: 30% since 2015–2019, against 40%.

The typical household income in King County rose 31% over that time; home values changed +57% and rent +30%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureKing CountyWashingtonUnited States
Rental vacancy 5.3%4.5%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy 0.7%0.7%0.9%
More than one person per room 3.9%3.5%3.4%
People per household 2.392.502.53
Drive alone 50%63%69%
Carpool 7%9%9%
Public transit 7%3%3%
Walk or bike 5%4%3%
Work from home 29%20%15%
Other means 1%1%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Washington, the rental vacancy rate in King County is 5.3%.

Much as in Washington, 3.9% of households in King County have more than one person per room.

Much as in Washington, a household in King County has 2.39 people on average.

Working from home is more common in King County: 29%, against 20% in Washington.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month in King County?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home of $859,900, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 68% of the typical household income here, which is $124,746 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $302,277 a year.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in King County. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $30,097 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$7,053

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$844,325
Total interest
$1,214,785
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $14,522 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,911 a month

  • Tight

    $2,911 to $3,742 a month

  • Hard

    more than $3,742 a month

    Your payment · 68%

Compared with the typical household income in King County ($124,746 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$7,053
Principal & interest$5,720
Property tax$595
Home insurance$358
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$380

You need at least $30,097 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

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.

Buying a home

Buying a home in King County

Here you'll see how prices have changed, how King County compares with Washington and the country, and what you'd pay each month with four kinds of loans.

How have home prices changed?

According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices in King County rose 101% in the 10 years through 2025. FHFA's index follows the price of the same homes over the years.

Period Here Washington United States
In 2025 +0.9% +1.8% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +37% +44% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +101% +113% +85%
See each year's change

The index follows the prices of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals on loans bought or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

King County compared with Washington and the United States

Home value, rent and household income, side by side. "Typical" is the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • King $859,900
  • Washington $564,600
  • United States $332,700
Typical rent a month
  • King $2,092
  • Washington $1,760
  • United States $1,413
Typical household income a year
  • King $124,746
  • Washington $98,141
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
King compared with Washington and the United States
MeasureHereWashingtonU.S.
Residents2,287,1717,816,116334,922,499
Typical home value$859,900$564,600$332,700
Typical household income$124,746$98,141$80,734
Typical rent$2,092$1,760$1,413
Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms)$2,549$2,044$1,750
Hourly wage to rent a 2-bedroom$49.02$39.31$33.65
Typical property tax$7,114$4,556$3,119
Effective tax rate0.83%0.81%0.94%
Households that own their home55%64%65%
Renters spending 30% or more on rent47%50%51%
FHA limit (1 unit)*$1,063,750$541,287$541,287

FHA limit: Washington shows the median of its counties; the United States, the national floor. Download CSV

Four ways to pay for a typical home in King County

For a typical $859,900 home at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, the county's property tax, an example homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

Loan Monthly payment Down payment Loan amount Rate Mortgage insurance Cash to close Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down $7,053 $30,097 $844,325 7.18% FHA MIP · $380 $55,894 580
Conventional, 5% down $6,896 $42,995 $816,905 7.18% PMI · $408 $68,792 620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $5,613 $171,980 $687,920 7.18% None $197,777 620*
ITIN, 15% down (example) $6,408 $128,985 $730,915 8.18% None $154,782 Set by the lender
  • 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.

Everything about buying in King County: income, limits and help How much house can I afford? Closing costs

Loan limits

This is a high-cost area, so FHA limits in King County are above the national floor. The limit is set for the whole metro area (Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA). If the loan you need is above these amounts, it doesn't fit FHA or it becomes a "jumbo" loan.

VA loans. If you have full VA entitlement, VA doesn't cap the loan amount. If you've used part of your entitlement, the calculation uses the county limit ($1,063,750 for one unit). VA loan limits (va.gov)

USDA loans. They're for homes in eligible rural areas and households with incomes within USDA's limit. Check whether the address and your income qualify on the official site. USDA eligibility (usda.gov)

Home type FHA limit Conforming limit
1 unit $1,063,750 $1,063,750
2 units $1,361,800 $1,361,800
3 units $1,646,100 $1,646,100
4 units $2,045,700 $2,045,700

Source: HUD, 2026 data · Source: FHFA, 2026 data

Taxes and risks

Property tax and flooding in King County

Two costs that change a lot from place to place and that a house payment does include: property tax and, in risk zones, flood insurance.

Property tax

In King County, the typical owner pays $7,114 a year: about 0.83% of the home's value. That is close to the rest of Washington and less than the national average.

  • King 0.83%
  • Washington 0.81%
  • United States 0.94%

What Washington publishes Exemption for people 61 and older or with disabilities (Washington State Department of Revenue)

Exemptions and deadlines in Washington

Is there a flood risk?

According to FEMA, in King County 1% of homes (5,797) are in a high-risk flood zone. Of those homes, 44% have NFIP flood insurance.

  • A high-risk zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) has a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. (44 CFR 59.1)
  • If the home is in that zone and the loan comes from a regulated lender, federal law requires flood insurance for the life of the loan, in communities that take part in the NFIP. (42 U.S.C. 4012a)
  • Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. (FEMA, FloodSmart)

Source: FEMA, As of August 3, 2026

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Owning a home here

Owning a home in King County

The natural hazards FEMA measures in King County, a maintenance plan for your climate and what the trades earn in your area.

Risks to your home

FEMA, National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025)

FEMA rates the natural hazard risk in King County as very high.

To rate it, FEMA weighs the expected loss with social vulnerability and community resilience.

The loss FEMA expects each year in King County from all natural hazards is $1.7 billion, counting buildings, people and crops.

The hazard that would do the most damage to homes and buildings here is earthquake: about $740 million a year.

Loss FEMA expects each year to homes and buildings, by hazard
  1. EarthquakeVery high $740 million a year
  2. Inland floodingVery high $417 million a year
  3. Coastal floodingRelatively moderate $1.4 million a year
  4. TornadoRelatively moderate $1 million a year
  5. WildfireRelatively low $473,450 a year

What it means for your home

The ratings are FEMA's own. FEMA says its data is meant for planning and does not replace a local study. Drought is not shown: FEMA counts its loss in crops only.

National Risk Index, version 1.20.0 (December 2025), retrieved November 6, 2026

FEMA notice: This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

Climate and upkeep

Department of Energy (PNNL), 2021 IECC zones

The home energy code (IECC) puts King County in zone 4C: marine.

The zone's number says how hot or cold it gets; the letter says how humid: A is moist, B is dry and C is marine.

  • Spring

    • Book the air conditioner's check-up before the heat: ENERGY STAR advises checking the cooling system in the spring, because contractors get busy once summer comes. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Check that the ground slopes away from the house, so water does not collect around the foundation. EPA

  • Summer

    • Seal the air ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, basement or garage with duct mastic or foil tape, then wrap them in insulation. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Look for drafts at windows and doors: close the window on a piece of paper; if it moves back and forth easily, it needs thicker weather stripping. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

  • Fall

    • Book the heating check-up in the fall. If it runs on gas or oil, the technician should check the connections: faulty ones are a fire hazard. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Clean and repair the roof gutters. EPA

  • Winter

    • Keep indoor humidity below 60 % (ideally between 30 % and 50 %). A humidity meter is inexpensive and sold at hardware stores. EPA
    • Get the house ready for the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping, and learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Ready.gov (FEMA)

All year

  • Check the air filter every month, especially in heavy-use months. If it looks dirty, change it; change it at least every 3 months. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
  • Test the smoke alarms every month and replace their batteries at least once a year. USFA (FEMA)

Each task comes from the official page beside it. The spring air-conditioning and fall heating check-ups are the timing ENERGY STAR advises; the rest is a suggested order.

Climate zones by county, 2021 IECC

What the trades charge here

BLS, wages for May 2025

TradeTypical hourly wage8 in 10 earn between
Electricians$48.93$26.77 and $72.74
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters$45.78$24.97 and $73.80
Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics$38.51$24.70 and $62.21
Roofers$30.81$23.29 and $50.27
Carpenters$36.74$27.93 and $59.50
Painters, construction and maintenance$29.06$22.79 and $38.12
Maintenance and repair workers, general$29.21$21.93 and $42.23

An electrician earns about $48.93 an hour in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area, and a plumber, about $45.78.

These are workers' hourly wages, not the price of a job.

Need help paying for a repair?

Renting

Renting in King County

The typical rent in King County is $2,092 a month. HUD also publishes a “fair market rent” by unit size: it's the one programs like Section 8 use.

47% of renter households in King County spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 22% spend half or more.

Fair market rent by size

To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $2,091 $40.21 $83,640
1 bedroom $2,180 $41.92 $87,200
2 bedrooms $2,549 $49.02 $101,960
3 bedrooms $3,324 $63.92 $132,960
4 bedrooms $3,954 $76.04 $158,160

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

Free help in King County

Programs and counseling in King County

There are 4 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in King County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, with rent, or if you've fallen behind on payments.

Official programs for the down payment and loans for buyers. Check which ones you might qualify for with your income and your county.

A father and mother walk their son by the hand down the sidewalk.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Washington down payment programs

  1. Home Advantage Downpayment Assistance

    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

    No first-time requirement. Run by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.

    Deferred Verified November 5, 2026

  2. Covenant Homeownership Program

    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

    First-time buyers only. Run by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.

    Deferred Verified November 5, 2026

  3. House Key Opportunity DPA

    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

    First-time buyers only. Run by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.

    Deferred Verified November 5, 2026

Which programs do I qualify for? See all Washington programs

Help in Spanish in King County

3 of the 4 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Public housing agencies

They run public housing and Section 8 vouchers (Housing Choice Vouchers) in this county.

  • Seattle Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (206) 615-3300
  • Ha of King County Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (206) 574-1100

Free legal help

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.

Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Housing counseling nearby

These agencies have an office in King County. The full list is on the Washington counselors page. Official HUD list. Confirm hours and fees with the agency before you go.

  • Credit.org - Seattle Branch

    450 Alaskan Way S, Seattle · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 7 more
    (800) 431-8157

  • El Centro de la Raza

    2524 16th Ave S, Seattle · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 2 more
    (206) 957-4634

  • Homesight

    4219 S Othello St Ste 130B, Seattle · Spanish

    Also serves in Vietnamese.

    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • Homebuyer education workshops
    (206) 760-4205
See every agency in Washington

Places

Cities in King County

Each city has its own page with prices, rents and help. These are the largest.

See all 41 cities of King County

Nearby counties

Each row compares its typical value, typical rent and FHA limit with King County.

Read next

Guides that help here

We picked them by this county's numbers: what weighs most here is what's worth understanding first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FHA loan limit in King County in 2026?

King County has an FHA limit of $1,063,750 for a one-unit home. For 2 units it's $1,361,800, for 3 it's $1,646,100 and for 4 it's $2,045,700. It's a high-cost area, so the limit is above the national floor.

What is the conforming loan limit in King County?

King County has a conforming limit of $1,063,750 for one-unit conventional loans in 2026. A bigger loan is a “jumbo” loan.

How much does a typical home cost in King County?

The typical home value in King County is $859,900 (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). Across Washington it's $564,600.

How much does it cost to rent in King County?

King County has a typical rent of $2,092 a month (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). HUD's fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $2,549 (Fiscal year 2027).

How much do you need to earn to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in King County?

About $49.02 an hour working full time (2,080 hours a year), or $101,960 a year, so the fair market rent of $2,549 stays under 30% of income.

Sources: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027); Income Limits (Fiscal year 2026); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (As of August 3, 2026); National Risk Index (2025 data); IECC climate zones by county (2021 data); Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025 data); Census Bureau cartographic boundary files (2024 data).