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Washington home affordability calculator

The median Washington household earns about $94,000 a year, and the median home costs about $610,000 — 6.5 times income. With 10% down, no other debts, and the current 7.32% average 30-year rate (Freddie Mac, week of October 22, 2026), standard lending ratios support a home of about $298,870 , roughly $311,130 short of the median. The calculator is pre-filled with those figures — replace them with yours.

$298,870 max home price

Max loan amount
$237,870
Housing payment budget
$2,184
P&I budget
$1,634
Bound by
front-end ratio

Uses the 28% front-end / 36% back-end DTI guidelines. Lenders vary.

How it works

Lenders cap the full housing payment — principal, interest, property tax, insurance — near 28% of gross monthly income, and all debt payments near 36%. In Washington, property tax at about 0.87% of value plus roughly $1,300 a year of homeowners insurance come to about $551 a month on the median home, and that comes out of the 28% budget before anything goes to the loan. On the median income the housing budget is about $2,184 a month, leaving $1,634 for principal and interest.

Homes in Washington spend about 30 days on the market on average. Washington has no state income tax and a near-average property tax rate held down by a 1% annual limit on levy growth, but high Seattle-area prices keep the dollar payment among the nation's largest.

Frequently asked questions

How much house can I afford in Washington on the median income?
On Washington's median household income of about $94,000, with no other debts, 10% down, and a 7.32% 30-year rate, the 28% housing guideline supports a home of roughly $298,870. That's about $311,130 below the $610,000 median home price.
What income do I need to buy a median-priced home in Washington?
Washington's median home costs about $610,000 — 6.5 times the median household income. Lenders' 28% front-end rule means the full payment, including about $551 a month in property tax and insurance, needs to fit inside 28% of gross monthly income. Try the calculator with your own income and down payment.
How much do property tax and insurance add in Washington?
On the median home, Washington's 0.87% effective property tax rate and about $1,300 a year in homeowners insurance come to roughly $551 a month — money that comes out of the housing budget before any goes to principal and interest.
Does Washington's income tax affect how much house I can afford?
Not directly — lenders qualify you on gross income. But Washington doesn't tax wages, so more of each paycheck is left for the payment than in an income-tax state.

Learn more: How much house can I afford?

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