The 99205 zip code in Spokane tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Washington.
We looked at 224 zip codes in the state, evaluating home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We used the data we gathered to calculate our proprietary Affordability Score for each zip code.
Top 10 most affordable places to live in Washington
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spokane 🥇 | 100.0 | $317,775 | $1,370 |
| 2 | Yakima 🥈 | 93.1 | $296,615 | $1,156 |
| 3 | Toppenish 🥉 | 90.5 | $274,040 | $2,063 |
| 4 | West Richland | 89.9 | $493,312 | $1,934 |
| 5 | Hoquiam | 88.6 | $241,808 | $2,063 |
| 6 | Richland | 88.6 | $416,567 | $1,489 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | 87.7 | $272,264 | $1,273 |
| 8 | Wapato | 87.3 | $283,579 | $2,063 |
| 9 | Bremerton | 84.0 | $510,707 | $1,954 |
| 10 | Spokane Valley | 82.7 | $495,484 | $1,709 |
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1. Spokane
Here's why the 99205 zip code in Spokane is Washington's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Spokane
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 224 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $317,775[1] | No. 9 | -$373,588.29 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.1 | No. 3 | -2.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 24.2%[2] | No. 113 | -0.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.2%[3] | No. 73 | -0.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,370[4] | No. 7 | -$693 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.77% | No. 53 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $77,374[5] | No. 175 | -$29,311 |
| Property taxes | $2,480[6] | No. 19 | -$2,699 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[7] | No. 111 | $0.00 |
Spokane's 99205 zip code is the cheapest place to live in Washington, leading the 224 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $317,775, making it the 9th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -1.2% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $1,370 per month, which is the 53rd cheapest amount in Washington.
The median property tax for homeowners in Spokane is $2,480 per household, the No. 19 ranked market in Washington.
Residents pay $0.09 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 111 among Washington markets.
2. Yakima
The 98902 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Washington.
🔎 Key data about Yakima
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 224 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 93.1 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $296,615[8] | No. 6 | -$394,747.95 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.7 | No. 19 | -1.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 21.9%[9] | No. 79 | -2.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.9%[10] | No. 174 | 0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,156[11] | No. 2 | -$907 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.83% | No. 72 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $63,092[12] | No. 215 | -$43,593 |
| Property taxes | $2,104[13] | No. 7 | -$3,075 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[14] | No. 185 | $0.02 |
Yakima's 98902 zip code has a median home value of $296,615, which is the 174th-cheapest housing market in Washington. You can rent for an average of $1,156 per month. That's the 2nd-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $63,092, which ranks 215th-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Yakima pay a median property tax of $2,104 per year, making it the 7th-most affordable market in Washington.
Yakima ranks No. 185 among Washington energy markets. You'll pay $0.11 per kWh of electricity.
3. Toppenish
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in Washington is Toppenish's 98948 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Toppenish
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 224 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 90.5 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $274,040[15] | No. 3 | -$417,322.85 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.2 | No. 4 | -2.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 22.2%[16] | No. 86 | -2.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.0%[17] | No. 144 | 0.1% |
| Rental costs | $2,063[18] | No. 112 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.93% | No. 92 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $65,759[19] | No. 205 | -$40,926 |
| Property taxes | $2,031[20] | No. 6 | -$3,148 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[21] | No. 179 | $0.01 |
The No. 3 cheapest housing market in Washington is Toppenish's 98948 zip code, with a median home value of $274,040. Rents in the market average $2,063 per month, making it the 112th-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Toppenish is $2,031, which makes it the 6th-cheapest place in Washington. Toppenish ranks No. 179 among Washington markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.11 per kWh of electricity.
4. West Richland
The 99353 zip code in West Richland comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Washington.
🔎 Key data about West Richland
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 224 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 89.9 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $493,312[22] | No. 64 | -$198,050.72 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.0 | No. 2 | -2.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 24.4%[23] | No. 120 | -0.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.5%[24] | No. 201 | 0.6% |
| Rental costs | $1,934[25] | No. 84 | -$129 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.59% | No. 22 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $121,845[26] | No. 58 | $15,160 |
| Property taxes | $4,094[27] | No. 78 | -$1,085 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[28] | No. 100 | $0.00 |
The No. 64 cheapest housing market in Washington is West Richland's 99353 zip code, where the median home value is $493,312. Renters here pay an average of $1,934 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, West Richland ranks 100th among Washington markets. Residents pay $0.09 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $4,094, which makes it the 78th-cheapest market in Washington.
5. Hoquiam
The 98550 zip code in Hoquiam ranks No. 5 among Washington's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Hoquiam
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 224 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 88.6 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $241,808[29] | No. 1 | -$449,554.90 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.4 | No. 7 | -2.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 22.7%[30] | No. 93 | -2.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.2%[31] | No. 1 | -1.1% |
| Rental costs | $2,063[32] | No. 112 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.93% | No. 92 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $55,040[33] | No. 222 | -$51,645 |
| Property taxes | $1,997[34] | No. 5 | -$3,182 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[35] | No. 201 | $0.03 |
Hoquiam's 98550 zip code has a median home value of $241,808, the 1st-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a -2.2% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Hoquiam is $1,997. It's the 5th-cheapest market by tax rate in Washington.
6. Richland
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in Washington is the 99354 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Richland
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 224 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 88.6 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $416,567[36] | No. 28 | -$274,796.08 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.5 | No. 11 | -1.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 26.1%[37] | No. 146 | 1.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.5%[38] | No. 201 | 0.6% |
| Rental costs | $1,489[39] | No. 11 | -$574 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.62% | No. 26 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $91,933[40] | No. 135 | -$14,752 |
| Property taxes | $3,343[41] | No. 39 | -$1,836 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[42] | No. 106 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Richland's 99354 zip code, which has the 28th-cheapest home values in Washington. The median home value is $416,567. Rents average $1,489 per month, making it the 11th-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.09 per kWh of electricity. It's the 106th-cheapest energy market.
7. Aberdeen
Aberdeen's 98520 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Washington.
🔎 Key data about Aberdeen
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 224 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 87.7 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $272,264[43] | No. 2 | -$419,099.42 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.7 | No. 16 | -1.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 15.8%[44] | No. 21 | -9.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.0%[45] | No. 2 | -0.9% |
| Rental costs | $1,273[46] | No. 4 | -$790 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.19% | No. 170 | 0.3% |
| Median household income | $58,153[47] | No. 220 | -$48,532 |
| Property taxes | $2,371[48] | No. 16 | -$2,808 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[49] | No. 183 | $0.01 |
You'll find the 2nd-cheapest home values in Washington in Aberdeen's 98520 zip code. The median value: $272,264. Renters in Aberdeen pay an average of $1,273 per month.
Homeowners in Aberdeen pay a median property tax of $2,371 per year, which is Washington's 16th-most affordable market.
The average household income is $58,153, which ranks 220th-highest in the state.
8. Wapato
The 8th-cheapest place to live in Washington is Wapato's 98951 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Wapato
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 224 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 87.3 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $283,579[50] | No. 5 | -$407,783.95 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.5 | No. 9 | -2.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 19.4%[51] | No. 44 | -5.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.0%[52] | No. 144 | 0.1% |
| Rental costs | $2,063[53] | No. 112 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.93% | No. 92 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $63,356[54] | No. 214 | -$43,329 |
| Property taxes | $1,875[55] | No. 3 | -$3,304 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[56] | No. 185 | $0.02 |
The 5th-cheapest housing market in Washington is Wapato's 98951 zip code, with a median home value of $283,579. Renters pay an average of $2,063 per month, the No. 112 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Wapato is $1,875, which makes it the 3rd-cheapest place in Washington. The average household income of $63,356 ranks 214th.
9. Bremerton
Bremerton's 98311 zip code sneaks into the top ten of Washington's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Bremerton
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 224 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 84.0 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $510,707[57] | No. 77 | -$180,656.37 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.7 | No. 18 | -1.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 15.8%[58] | No. 20 | -9.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.4%[59] | No. 40 | -0.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,954[60] | No. 88 | -$109 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.80% | No. 59 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $108,757[61] | No. 81 | $2,072 |
| Property taxes | $3,834[62] | No. 66 | -$1,345 |
| Energy costs | $0.07 kWh[63] | No. 7 | -$0.02 |
The 77th-cheapest housing market in Washington is Bremerton's 98311 zip code, where the median home value is $510,707. Renters pay an average of $1,954 per month. It's the state's 88th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $3,834, which makes it the 66th-cheapest property tax rate in Washington.
10. Spokane Valley
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Washington goes to the 99016 zip code in Spokane Valley.
🔎 Key data about Spokane Valley
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 224 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 82.7 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $495,484[64] | No. 67 | -$195,879.21 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.8 | No. 25 | -1.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 22.7%[65] | No. 96 | -2.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.0%[66] | No. 144 | 0.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,709[67] | No. 35 | -$354 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.65% | No. 31 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $103,472[68] | No. 100 | -$3,213 |
| Property taxes | $4,274[69] | No. 94 | -$905 |
| Energy costs | $0.10 kWh[70] | No. 164 | $0.01 |
The 67th-most affordable market in Washington is Spokane Valley's 99016 zip code. The median home value is $495,484. Rent in the market costs $1,709 per month on average, making it the 35th-most affordable rental market in Washington.
The median property tax for households in Spokane Valley is $4,274, which is the 94th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Spokane Valley ranks No. 164 among Washington markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.10 per kWh of electricity.
How we ranked the most affordable places in Washington
We evaluated 224 zip codes in Washington with a population over 10,000 on nine metrics. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in Washington, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 13.0% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 28.0% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 10.0% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 8.0% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 7.0% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 5.0% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 17.0% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the Washington average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 8.0% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the Washington average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 4.0% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
