Real Estate Investing in Renton, Washington (98055)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98055 (Renton, 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.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Renton, WA (98055)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 98055 Renton
Investors eyeing 98055 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $650K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 98055 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Within WA, ZIP 98055 trails on several market indicators that neighboring King County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and notable enough to shape underwriting.
Resident income in 98055 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
The 98055 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Renton:
Property Strategy for 98055
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $277,648 | $2,210 | 5.7% | +5.5% | $277,648 |
| 2BR | $398,851 | $2,580 | 4.7% | +6.5% | $199,426 |
| 3BR | $620,405 | $3,380 | 3.9% | +6.4% | $206,802 |
| 4BR | $772,635 | $3,970 | 3.7% | +6.8% | $193,159 |
| 5BR | $856,412 | — | — | +6.7% | $171,282 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98055 Compare?
| Metric | 98055 | Renton | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $649,781 | $749,484 | N/A | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.2% | 3.2% | N/A | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $2,095 | $2,249 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.5% | 2.4% | - | - |
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 98055 (Renton, 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 | $649,781 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,095 |
| Price-to-Rent | 25.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.9% |
| Cap Rate | 2.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.7% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -3.5% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -0.6% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.3% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.5%). 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 98055
Population: 24,851
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 98055
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Emerald Park Elementary School
Glenridge Elementary
Panther Lake Elementary School
Sartori Elementary School
Soos Creek Elementary School
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 17,476 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical rental rate in Renton, WA?
Investors in Renton, WA typically see rents near $2,095/mo per month against $650K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.
Are homes affordable in Renton, WA?
Renton, WA home values average about $650K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $2,095/mo in monthly income.
What is the investability score for Renton, WA?
Renton, WA clocks in at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $650K and average rents around $2,095/mo. That combination puts it in the impressive tier for investor interest.
How tight is the rental market in Renton, WA?
Vacancy risk in Renton, WA is elevated. That supports predictable cash flow for typical rental holds.
How should investors approach Renton, WA?
Most investors in Renton, WA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.
You know 98055 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98055 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 98055 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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