Real Estate Investing in Auburn, Washington (98002)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98002 (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 (98002)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 98002 Auburn
On balance, ZIP 98002 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $493K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
For an experienced owner, 98002 can be a a viable market for hunting ground — but the discount at $493K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.
The gap between 98002 and stronger Auburn ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
Who lives in 98002 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
Strategically, 98002 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Auburn:
Property Strategy for 98002
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $253,792 | $1,850 | 5.2% | +6.4% | $253,792 |
| 2BR | $367,994 | $2,160 | 4.2% | +4.9% | $183,997 |
| 3BR | $497,732 | $2,850 | 4.1% | +5.6% | $165,911 |
| 4BR | $583,474 | $3,320 | 4.1% | +6.2% | $145,868 |
| 5BR | $605,947 | — | — | +5.3% | $121,189 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98002 Compare?
| Metric | 98002 | Auburn | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $492,996 | $599,781 | N/A | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.6% | 2.7% | N/A | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,809 | $2,092 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.9% | 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 98002 (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 | $492,996 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,809 |
| Price-to-Rent | 22.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.4% |
| Cap Rate | 2.9% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.5% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.6% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.9% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -3.3% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.9% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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 98002
Population: 37,284
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 98002
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 does Auburn, WA rate as a rental market?
Our data puts Auburn, WA at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $493K and rents around $1,809/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.
What is the rental occupancy rate in Auburn, WA?
Expect elevated vacancy in Auburn, WA. Rents at $1,809/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.
What is the typical home price in Auburn, WA?
Median home price in Auburn, WA is near $493K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been consistent and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.
Can I live-in-and-rent in Auburn, WA?
Auburn, WA offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,809/mo rent level.
Where do rents currently stand in Auburn, WA?
Expect rents around $1,809/mo per month in Auburn, WA. With home values at $493K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
You know 98002 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98002 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 98002 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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Community Ratings
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