Real Estate Investing in Monroe, Washington (98272)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Snohomish County • Population: 32,055 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 98272 (Monroe, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Monroe, WA (98272)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $723,863
Avg Monthly Rent $2,430
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $109,051
% Renters 21.0%

Market Analysis: 98272 Monroe

This part of Snohomish County is not an easy win. The 98272 ZIP reflects softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The 98272 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Regionally, 98272 sits on the difficult end of the WA spectrum. The an appealing option for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Who lives in 98272 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

New investors are better served looking at Monroe's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 98272. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Monroe:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 61/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.6× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,430/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
45 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.2%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 98272

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
3.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$181,360/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $404,376 $2,020 3.6% +4.2% $404,376
2BR $498,810 $2,360 3.4% +6.8% $249,405
3BR $657,934 $3,090 3.4% +7.4% $219,311
4BR $873,827 $3,630 3.0% +8.7% $218,457
5BR $906,799 +8.4% $181,360

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$784K$664K$545K$425K$305K$185KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,795$2,672$2,549$2,426$2,303$2,181Mar 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 98272 Compare?

Metric 98272 Monroe Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Washington
Home Value $723,863 $723,863 N/A $591,536
5-Year CAGR 3.9% 3.9% N/A 5.9%
Avg Rent $2,430 $2,430 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 98272? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 98272 (Monroe, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 98272 (Monroe, WA)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Property managers serving Snohomish County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

inTrust Property Management offers HOA Management Services in King & Snohomish Counties. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Haven Property Management is a full-service residential management company based in Federal Way, WA, covering the Greater Puget Sound area. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Navigate Community Management provides community management services. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $723,863
Monthly Rent $2,430
Price-to-Rent 24.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.0%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 6.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -12.3% ▼
3-Year CAGR -2.0% ▼
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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.

Vacancy
3.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 98272

Population: 32,055

💰 Median Household Income
$109,051
This area
$109,051
State
$83,286
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.0%
This area
21.0%
State
29.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.6%
This area
2.6%
State
-13.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
26.8%
This area
26.8%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.4 years
This area
37.4 years
State
10.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
State
14.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 77.8%
Other/Mixed 15.3%
Hispanic/Latino 9.1%
Asian 5.0%
Black/African American 1.9%
👶 Under 18
23.8%
This area
23.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
10.8%
This area
10.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
USA
11.5%

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 98272

B Avg School Grade
9 Schools
17.5:1 Avg Class Size
$18,450 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Frank Wagner Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
543 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$18,450 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Fryelands Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
409 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,450 Per Student
A Very Good

Salem Woods Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
477 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$18,450 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Park Place Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
718 Students
👨‍🏫
19.6:1 Class Size
💰
$18,450 Per Student
B Good

Leaders In Learning

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
48 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$18,450 Per Student
B Good

Monroe High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,491 Students
👨‍🏫
20.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,450 Per Student
C+ Average

Monroe Special Ed Preschool

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
29 Students
💰
$18,450 Per Student
C+ Average

Out Of District Special Ed

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
27 Students
💰
$18,450 Per Student
C Below Average

Sky Valley Education Center

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
887 Students
👨‍🏫
28.4:1 Class Size
💰
$18,450 Per Student
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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Monroe, WA?

Occupancy in Monroe, WA runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $2,430/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

How deep is the rental pool in Monroe, WA?

The tenant pool in Monroe, WA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $2,430/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Is Monroe in WA worth investing in?

Investors tracking Monroe, WA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $724K median home values and $2,430/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting steady returns.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Monroe, WA?

Monroe, WA falls under WA landlord-tenant law, which is tenant-protective. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Monroe, WA?

Expect median prices around $724K in Monroe, WA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.

You know 98272 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98272 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.

Compare Plans

How 98272 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 98272 (Monroe)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 98272 (Monroe, WA).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.