Real Estate Investing in Auburn, Washington (98001)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98001 (Auburn, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Auburn, WA (98001)?
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Market Analysis: 98001 Auburn
Investors eyeing 98001 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $633K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
From an investor standpoint, the numbers look inviting — $633K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 98001 is substantial and deserves full respect.
Within WA, ZIP 98001 trails on several market indicators that neighboring King County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.
Demographically, 98001 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.
The right play in 98001 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Auburn:
Property Strategy for 98001
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $456,922 | $2,490 | 3.9% | +5.5% | $228,461 |
| 3BR | $563,776 | $3,260 | 4.2% | +6.2% | $187,925 |
| 4BR | $696,193 | $3,830 | 4.0% | +6.6% | $174,048 |
| 5BR | $767,734 | — | — | +7.0% | $153,547 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98001 Compare?
| Metric | 98001 | Auburn | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $632,843 | $599,781 | N/A | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.7% | 2.7% | N/A | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $2,406 | $2,092 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.0% | 2.7% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 98001 (Auburn, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving King County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Alki Property Management LLC specializes in apartment rentals. summary from their website
Brink Property Management offers residential property management and vacant home management services in Bellevue, providing marketing, tenant screening, rent collection, and maintenance. summary from their website
Full Service Property Management offers compassionate property management across Metro Seattle, including multi-family management, property marketing, and maintenance services. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $632,843 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,406 |
| Price-to-Rent | 21.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.6% |
| Cap Rate | 3.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -0.3% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 98001
Population: 36,041
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 98001
Schools in This ZIP Code
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 10,813 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How qualified is the tenant pool in Auburn, WA?
The tenant pool in Auburn, WA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $2,406/mo are well-absorbed by the market.
Is Auburn, WA a good place for real estate investing?
Auburn, WA records an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $633K and average rents around $2,406/mo. That combination puts it in the significant tier for investor interest.
Is Auburn, WA good for house hacking?
The house hack math a challenging in Auburn, WA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $2,406/mo rents and $633K home values.
What do rentals go for in Auburn, WA?
Rental rates in Auburn, WA average $2,406/mo. Tenant demand and $633K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
Is rental property easy to operate in Auburn, WA?
Landlord-friendliness in Auburn, WA is tenant-protective. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.
You know 98001 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98001 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 98001 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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Community Ratings
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