In White Center, a typical home is worth $645,200 and typical rent is $1,595 a month. Compared with all of King County, typical household income is 30% lower and the typical home value is 25% lower.
White Center is in King County. The FHA loan limit ($1,063,750 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of King County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
The typical household income in White Center is $87,189,30% less than in King County as a whole ($124,746).
2
Nearby, in Tukwila, the typical home value is $489,000: 24% less than in White Center ($645,200).
3
The typical home in White Center is worth $645,200,25% less than in King County as a whole ($859,900).
4
The typical rent in White Center is $1,595 a month, 24% less than in King County as a whole ($2,092).
5
White Center has the 14th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 172 cities in Washington with more than 5,000 people (63%).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in White Center
What homes there are in White Center, 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
White Center
King County
Washington
United States
Kind of home: White Center and its comparisons
Measure
White Center
King County
Washington
United States
Detached house
56%
50%
62%
61%
Attached house
10%
5%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
11%
5%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
23%
38%
22%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
1%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
Detached houses, standing on their own, make up 56% of homes here, against 50% in King County.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
White Center
King County
Washington
United States
Year built: White Center and its comparisons
Measure
White Center
King County
Washington
United States
Before 1960
37%
23%
21%
26%
1960–1979
14%
23%
23%
24%
1980–1999
17%
25%
27%
25%
2000–2009
12%
13%
15%
14%
2010 or later
20%
16%
14%
11%
Much as in King County, 50% of homes in White Center have 3 bedrooms or more.
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–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500K21%
$500K–$750K45%
$750K–$1M24%
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: White Center and its comparisons
Measure
White Center
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K
21%
$500K–$750K
45%
$750K–$1M
24%
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $50017%
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,49923%
$1,500–$1,99929%
$2,000–$2,49914%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: White Center and its comparisons
Measure
White Center
Under $500
17%
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
23%
$1,500–$1,999
29%
$2,000–$2,499
14%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$2,661 a month
King County: $3,273 a month
Without a mortgage
$1,035 a month
King County: $1,116 a month
Owners with a mortgage
77%
King County: 70%
In White Center, 77% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $2,661 a month, against $3,273 in King County. Without one it drops to $1,035.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
White Center+68%
King County+57%
Washington+67%
United States+53%
Typical rent
White Center+34%
King County+30%
Washington+40%
United States+33%
Typical household income
White Center+49%
King County+31%
Washington+33%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: White Center and its comparisons
Measure
White Center
King County
Washington
United States
Typical home value
+68%
+57%
+67%
+53%
Typical rent
+34%
+30%
+40%
+33%
Typical household income
+49%
+31%
+33%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in White Center rose 68%; in King County, it rose 57%.
Rents in White Center rose faster than in King County: 34% since 2015–2019, against 30%.
The typical household income in White Center rose 49% over that time; home values changed +68% and rent +34%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: White Center and its comparisons
Measure
White Center
King County
Washington
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
5.3%
4.5%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.7%
0.7%
0.9%
More than one person per room
8.8%
3.9%
3.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.59
2.39
2.50
2.53
Drive alone
57%
50%
63%
69%
Carpool
14%
7%
9%
9%
Public transit
7%
7%
3%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
5%
4%
3%
Work from home
20%
29%
20%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
In White Center, 8.8% of households live with more than one person per room, against 3.9% in King County.
On average, a household in White Center has 2.59 people, more than in King County (2.39).
In White Center, 14% of workers share a car to get to work; in King County, 7%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in White Center?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in White Center, worth $645,200, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 74% of the typical household income in White Center, which is $87,189 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $230,031 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of King 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 White Center. 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 $22,582 (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
$5,367
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$633,514
Total interest
$911,478
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $10,896 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,034 a month
Tight
$2,034 to $2,616 a month
Hard
more than $2,616 a month
Your payment · 74%
Compared with the typical household income in White Center ($87,189 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$4,292
Property tax
$522
Home insurance
$269
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$285
You need at least $22,582 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 $5,367; principal and interest $4,292.
The city and its county
White Center and King County
White Center is in King 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).
White Center
Map of King County, Washington, with White Center marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
White Center
King County
Other cities with a page
White Center's own numbers
Typical home value
$645,200
Typical monthly rent
$1,595
Typical yearly household income
$87,189
Households that own their home
55%
Effective property tax rate
0.97%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of King County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$1,063,750
Conventional limit, one unit
$1,063,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,549
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+37%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1%
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 King County.
A typical home in White Center is worth $645,200: 25% below the county and 14% above Washington. With the typical household income in White Center ($87,189 a year), a typical home costs 7.4 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.
White Center7.4 years
King6.9 years
Washington5.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in King County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in King County rose 101% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of King County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in King County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +13.4% +13.4% 2016
2017: +12.7% +12.7% 2017
2018: +9.2% +9.2% 2018
2019: +1.8% +1.8% 2019
2020: +3.5% +3.5% 2020
2021: +11.3% +11.3% 2021
2022: +15.8% +15.8% 2022
2023: +0.2% +0.2% 2023
2024: +4.8% +4.8% 2024
2025: +0.9% +0.9% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in King County, Washington and the United States
Period
County
Washington
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+0.9%
+1.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+37%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+101%
+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
White Center next to King 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
White Center$645,200
King$859,900
Washington$564,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
White Center$1,595
King$2,092
Washington$1,760
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
White Center$87,189
King$124,746
Washington$98,141
United States$80,734
See the full table
White Center next to King County and Washington
Measure
White Center
King County
Washington
U.S.
Typical home value
$645,200 ▼25% below the county
$859,900
$564,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,595 ▼24% below the county
$2,092
$1,760
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$87,189 ▼30% below the county
$124,746
$98,141
$80,734
Households that own their home
55%
55%
64%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$6,257 ▼12% below the county
$7,114
$4,556
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.97% ▲0.14 points above the county
0.83%
0.81%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
63% ▲16 points above the county
47%
50%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below King 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 White Center
For a typical $645,200 home in White Center, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, White Center's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$5,367a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$22,582
Cash to close
$41,938
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $285
Conventional, 5% down$5,249a month
Down payment
$32,260
Cash to close
$51,616
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $306
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$4,287a month
Down payment
$129,040
Cash to close
$148,396
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$4,884a month
Down payment
$96,780
Cash to close
$116,136
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in White Center
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$5,367
$22,582
$633,514
7.18%
FHA MIP · $285
$41,938
580
Conventional, 5% down
$5,249
$32,260
$612,940
7.18%
PMI · $306
$51,616
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$4,287
$129,040
$516,160
7.18%
None
$148,396
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$4,884
$96,780
$548,420
8.18%
None
$116,136
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 White Center is $1,595 a month: 24% below the county. In White Center, 63% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of King County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($2,549 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $49.02 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 King County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
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
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in White Center
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). White Center has 2 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $2,220 in 98146 to $2,290 in 98168.
None is above the fair market rent for King County ($2,549).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in White Center, fiscal year 2027.
98146
$1,820
$1,900
$2,220
$2,890
$3,440
98168
$1,880
$1,960
$2,290
$2,990
$3,550
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
98146 $2,220$2,890
98168 $2,290$2,990
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for White Center 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)
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.
There are 4 HUD-approved agencies with an office in King County; 3 say they serve in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for White Center or King County. The ones below are statewide in Washington: they work in White Center 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.
The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of White Center, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
H
Homesight
4219 S Othello St Ste 130B, Seattle · 4 miles away · Spanish
No legal help resource on our list is for White Center or King 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 White Center and all of King 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 White Center?
The typical home value in White Center is $645,200, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in King County it is $859,900.
How much does it cost to rent in White Center?
Typical rent in White Center is $1,595 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in King County is $2,549.
What is the FHA loan limit in White Center?
White Center uses the FHA limit for all of King County (2026): $1,063,750 for a one-unit home and $2,045,700 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in White Center?
The typical homeowner in White Center pays $6,257 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.97% of the home’s value; in King County, the rate is 0.83%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in White Center?
There are 4 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in King County. 3 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
